Political Affections: Civic Participation and Moral Theology

This is a book about how affections such as joy, compassion and shame shape our political experience. In conversation with philosophers, political theorists and political theologians, Joshua Hordern discusses what affections are and how they play a role in parts of political life such as representation and law. He shows that affections have an intelligent role to play in fostering loyalty, trust and public moral reasoning. At a time when national identity and patriotism are being reexamined in Western nation-states, the book explores the connection between locality and affections, drawing on a range of resources from the Jewish and Christian traditions. In looking beyond political formulae to the actual experience of human life, Joshua Hordern explores how thinking about affections help us to understand aspects of democratic life such as healthcare, limited government and civil society. The argument concludes by offering a theological vision of hopeful joy as a source for the renewal of civic participation.