Emotions
July 17, 2024
As stated in our introduction, this edition of the masterclass governance is special. It will focus on factors like SIDS, the climate crisis, emotions, artificial intelligence, the colonial legacy, and even casually mention same-sex marriage. For the last couple of editions, we have explored the physical aspect of SIDS. Now, we will venture into the emotional dimension.
The paradigm that humans are rational beings is still dominant but widely challenged by the alternative paradigm that humans are both rational and emotional, necessitating a balance. There are multiple variations among these perspectives, one of which is that humans are primarily emotional beings. As this consciousness is relatively new, many still approach matters of governance from the perspective that humans are rational (homo economicus).
To illustrate that emotions have become dominant, I want to explain what happened in Curaçao in 24 hours. On Friday, July 12, the Supreme Court in The Hague ruled that same-sex marriage in Curaçao is possible by law. It was a complicated case because this was not done via legislation by the legislator but by judges. Many citizens did not see this coming despite all the previous information. After the televised ruling, there was joy among the groups that wanted this and disbelief among those who were passionately against it. Via social media and mainstream media, there were all sorts of expressions. I want to highlight two. Some pastors and their followers expressed their disappointment. Some pro-independence politicians from the Netherlands saw this as proof they could present that the island was still a colony and that the Netherlands could impose its will on the island. Emotions ran high on the island.
In this context, the news broke that there was an attempt to kill President Donald Trump during a rally. Trump and others have been triggering negative emotions for years, using social media and creating an atmosphere where this is possible. The reaction in Curaçao to this event was slow. I believe that this is not solely due to the commotion of same-sex marriage but also a sort of denial. The world, and especially Curaçao, has changed. The role of emotion continues to swell. It is in this emotional context that governance must happen.
Register: www.universityofgovernance.com
Miguel Goede
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