But Fear Itself. PiS’s Social Engineering of Anxiety and Fear Cover Image

Strach się bać. PiS-owska socjotechnika lęku i strachu
But Fear Itself. PiS’s Social Engineering of Anxiety and Fear

Author(s): Sławomir Czapnik, Dominik Hüpner
Subject(s): Politics, Political Theory, Politics and Identity
Published by: Wydział Nauk Politycznych i Studiów Międzynarodowych UW
Keywords: fear; anxiety; social engineering; psychology of politics; Poland

Summary/Abstract: The paper aims at drafting the characteristics of social engineering by anxiety and fear as has been used effectively for years by the Law and Justice party (PiS). It begins with providing background on the complex relations within the triad of anxiety, fear and politics, as outlined in classical works on power, among others. It then briefly presents fear through the lens of affective economics. The empirical section provides select examples of how the rhetoric of PiS uses anxiety and fear by fuelling and exaggerating them.

  • Issue Year: 75/2025
  • Issue No: 75
  • Page Range: 176-189
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish
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