Affective communities as security communities

Abstract

In this intervention, I argue that conceptualizing the politically constitutive nature of emotions is crucial for a more holistic and reflective understanding of security. Emotions are a mechanism through which political identities and communities are shaped and sustained. They are part of the social fabric that binds communities together. In certain circumstances and particularly after political conflict and crises, emotions can be mobilized in ways that focus communities on trauma and generate antagonistic perceptions and mindsets. Security becomes defined narrowly; resources are spent keeping perceived dangers at bay. Highlighting the links between emotions, community and security, I underline the need to examine how the emotional meanings that underpin these kinds of ‘affective communities’ can constitute threat perceptions and create violent security patterns. Doing so is critical as it provides a pathway through which scholars and policy analysts can rethink security through the type of social emotional dispositions that traditional security approaches are both predicted on and in turn perpetuate.