Anger, Fear, Domination: Dark Passions and the Power of Political Speech

by William A. Galston

A renowned political theorist offers a road map to the dark forces that threaten democracy
 
Liberalism orients itself around the idea of self-interest tempered by reason, with the addition of civically useful emotions such as patriotism, self-sacrifice, and empathy. But the politics dominating much of the world shows that these ideals are not enough. William A. Galston argues that the defense of liberal democracy requires understanding the dark forces whose impact on political life liberal democratic institutions seek to the emotions of fear, humiliation, anger, resentment, and hatred, and the drive to dominate. In hard or threatening times, it is these dark passions that most reliably persuade people and move them to action—whether voting or violence.
 
Throughout the democratic world, these institutional defenses are now being tested by a new generation of demagogues. With a keen awareness of the stakes, Galston explains why countering this dangerous development requires not only more responsive public policies but persuasive rhetoric and a realistic conception of political psychology—one that is free of the illusion that reason or affirmative sentiments such as empathy, solidarity, and love can reliably dominate public affairs.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Sociology, Psychology, History

176 pages, Hardcover

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Alan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

William A. Galston, the author of this recently published book, is a senior fellow and the Ezra K. Zilkha Chair in the Governance Studies program at the Brookings Institution. He was deputy assistant for domestic policy to U.S. President Bill Clinton (January 1993–May 1995). He was policy director in Walter Mondale’s presidential campaign and was also active in the presidential campaigns of Al Gore (1988 and 2000) and John B. Anderson.

This book is especially relevant in the present Age of Trump. The concluding paragraph states: “This is not the world of our dreams; it is the world in which we live. While public-spirited citizens and leaders must never abandon hope for the improvement of the human condition, their first duty is to see things as they are and act accordingly. We do not live in a world dominated by rational self-interest, let alone altruism or love. Political action can achieve its goals only when it is undertaken in full awareness of the threat the darker side of human nature will always pose.”

Alan E. Johnson
Independent Philosopher, Historian, Political Scientist, and Legal Scholar
Website: https://alanjohnson.academia.edu/

[Michael Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anger, Fear, Domination is a timely and thought-provoking examination of the emotional forces that shape modern politics. William A. Galston challenges the idea that reason alone is enough to sustain liberal democracy, arguing that emotions such as fear, anger, resentment, and the desire for domination play a far greater role in political life than many are willing to admit. I appreciated how the book approaches these issues with both philosophical depth and real-world relevance.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its balanced and accessible analysis. Rather than offering simplistic explanations, Galston explores why these darker emotions have become so influential in democratic societies and how political rhetoric can either strengthen or undermine democratic institutions. The writing is concise, engaging, and filled with insights that encourage readers to think more critically about today's political climate.

Overall, Anger, Fear, Domination is an insightful read for anyone interested in political philosophy, democracy, political psychology, or public affairs. It raises important questions about the challenges facing liberal democracies while offering a thoughtful framework for understanding the emotional dynamics behind political behavior. It's a valuable contribution to contemporary political thought and well worth reading.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a study group that has been together for nearly two decades. We have bounced between the frivolous and the intense, the humorous and the despairing, the religious and the secular. The past months, we have often met at our monthly dinners to discuss how to survive and oppose the attempt of Trump and troops to impose a certain form of dictatorship on the country. This book seemed a natural choice.
Galston is well-known and respected for his analysis of current as well as past events, where our current path may lead, and how to bend the path. It is subtle, however, often philosophical. This book fully fits that mold, but was helpful to us in reviewing what is happening, why it is happening, and how to place the events in context.
I particularly studied the the third chapter on Anger, Humiliation and Resentment. I found that this build on one of his earlier chapters on Dark Passions. It uses religious and psychological terms of humiliation and the effects. It seems particularly illustrative.
Part I, particularly the second section set a framework for out troubled times that helps one to understand both his points in the work, and also pushed me to really examine my beliefs.
It is an excellent, quite short book work reading.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slim volume on rhetoric, emotions, and political influence. It is a helpful explanation of how our political reality has, in recent years, so shockingly devolved. The author cautiously kindles hopes for a more secure, fair, and compassionate future.

“The appeal to passions and emotions is not always a bad thing. Rhetoric that summons hope and directs righteous indignation toward reform can be a powerful engine of positive change. More often, however, the appeal is to the dark passions--anger, hatred, humiliation, resentment, fear, and the urge to dominate--and the consequences are usually destructive.”

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to imagine a clearer, deeper or mor concise analysis or how we got to Trump than this. The author explores how we are not always driven by rational self-interest or altruism and love, but often by darker passions like anger, fear, humiliation, resentment and the desir3e fore domination (which Au8gustinme put at the center of human existence). He then shows how Trump and other authoritarians, out of their desire for domination, use speech to foment and fed these emotions and create communities that empower them. He pulls no punches about how errors on both sides created this mess and offers direction hon how we might use better political speech to create a better future.

[Mindy Greiling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a book (and a pleasingly short one at that) than answers my question: how can so many Americans support Trump?

What they hate about him they hate about me. I don't need a perfect leader, just one that will fight for me.

The ability to put persuasive speech in the service of domination remains the greatest threat to democracies. Trump has that ability.

Political action can achieve its goals only when it is undertaken in full awareness of the threat the darker side of human nature will always pose. We are learning this.

[Steve]

Only read 10 pages, but I didn’t like the writing style and I could not figure out what the point of the book was supposed to be. I think I reserved it because David Brooks praised it in a column? (Not sure)

TBH the title and cover kind of put me off too.

I’m sure it’s a wonderful book and people other than me may get a lot out of it. But for me, I just got a big sense of relief that I’m no longer trying to get myself to read it.

[Katherine Gray]

See FDR on Netflix as a base to understanding this book even better

Well-written and easy to understand but also! well-referenced. Also provides the reader how to judge what to look for in future candidates to evaluate their speaking skills both for what appeals to the dark passions or shows empathy and respect for the opposition.

[PATRICIA FARRELL · Rating 2 out of 5]

Below average. Writing is often dense, and lacking in development of his themes. Too general in terms of solutions to the current zeitgeist. Not a book I plan to recommend - only reason I read the book was at the recommendation of David Brooks on his PBS show. Disappointing.

[Matt Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this slim volume, Galston offers a master class on the three passions driving Trump and Trumpism. If we are to defend - and save - our republic, we had better understand them.

[Timothy Mosher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provides a clear concise perspective of our partisan politics. Nothing particularly novel

[Elie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a gift, and I hadn’t read a philosophy book since college. We made it through, though.

[Mike Fedewa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book after David Brooks mentioned it in a column. Sadly, it seems to be an accurate description of how we got here, and where we are as a nation.