Emotional dynamics of protective policies in an age of insecurity

PROTEMO aims to investigate the emotional dynamics of protective policies and their consequences for individuals as well as for democracy, political participation and mobilisation. PROTEMO posits that such policies, and the emotional dynamics related to them, are increasingly dominating politics in the current age of insecurity. In this context, PROTEMO examines the emotions that come into play when policymakers design and formulate protective policies, the emotional reactions these policies provoke, and how these reactions feed back into the policy process. The research covers various policies across 11 countries, focusing on areas like pandemic responses and climate change mitigation. The project aims to understand how emotions and needs shape the relationship between individuals, communities, and the state. By investigating these dynamics, PROTEMO hopes to contribute to a broader debate on the future of representative democracy and affective citizenship, ultimately leading to improved EU policy-making.