The in_visibilization of emotions in politics. Ambivalences of an ‘affective democracy’

ABSTRACT The liberal affect dispositif and liberal theories of democracy are historically entangled with gendered processes of in_visibilization—the invisibilization and paradox visibilization of women as well as of affect and emotions. To overcome divisions and exclusions connected to in_visibilization, this article spells out the ambivalent power relations of affect, care and relatedness in processes of visibilizing and invisibilizing, and hence their dis-empowering as well as empowering qualities. Against deliberative and queer-feminist theories of democracy which are aware of the role of affect and emotion, the article suggests a new way of conceptualizing affect and emotions as important elements for re-imagining democracy. It combines democracy theories including affect, emotions, and passions with a critical concept of affect and queer-feminist democracy theories of care and relatedness. The notion of an “affective democracy” suggests to establish institutions for feeling democracy as well as it is a critical entry point to become aware of ambivalences and contradictions of gender, democracy, and acting together without denying affectivity and emotions.