The influence of desire on political change has been an intriguing subject for scholars who have studied it from various perspectives such as sociology, psychology, economics, history, philosophy, and literature. In this essay, I will explore how moralization of desire affects the willingness of individuals in a society to accept or reject political changes.
Desire is a natural feeling that every human being experiences, and it can either be healthy or unhealthy depending on its context. It can be defined as a strong wish or craving for something that motivates people to take action. According to Freudian theory, desire drives humans' behavior because it stems from the id, which is the primitive part of their personality responsible for basic needs like food, sex, and aggression. Moralization refers to making something desirable or undesirable based on socially acceptable norms and values. When societies moralize certain things, they impose rules regarding them, creating attitudes toward what is right and wrong. Therefore, when desire comes into play in politics, there are usually two sides: those who embrace it and those who oppose it.
When societies moralize sexuality, they often create rules regulating it by restricting access to it through marriage, age restrictions, and religious beliefs.
Polygamy, polyamory, incest, rape, and same-sex relationships are considered taboo in many cultures worldwide. These norms make some people feel guilty about engaging in any form of non-traditional sexual relations, leading to resistance to political changes that promote these practices. On the other hand, societies that do not place much value on sexuality may accept such political changes. In the US, for instance, politicians have pushed for gay marriages, with most states legalizing it.
Conservatives resisted this change due to their moral views of sexuality, resulting in lawsuits and protests.
The willingness of individuals in society to accept or reject political change depends on how society moralizes desire. A study conducted in Egypt found that sexual morality plays a significant role in determining support for revolutionary movements. The results indicated that those opposed to political changes were more likely to be religiously conservative, married, and sexually repressed. They felt threatened by the prospect of losing their traditional sexual values if political power changed hands. Conversely, liberals embraced change because they believed in individual freedom to choose how they lived their lives, including in matters related to sex and intimacy.
Political leaders can use the moralization of desire to sway public opinion regarding political change.
Political parties can encourage voters who share similar ideologies by appealing to their desires. The Republican party in America has been vocal about promoting family values while discouraging homosexuality, abortion, and promiscuity. Democrats, on the other hand, promote liberalism and advocate for personal freedoms without restrictions on sexual behavior. Thus, depending on what kind of political change you want, you must identify your target audience's beliefs regarding sex and intimacy to create an effective campaign strategy.
Societies' moralization of desire influences their willingness to accept or reject political changes. Conservative people are less likely to embrace change since it threatens their traditional values, while liberals are more open-minded and progressive. Political leaders can use this information to influence public opinion through campaign strategies that appeal to their supporters' desires.
How does the moralization of desire influence a society's willingness to accept or reject political change?
The moralization of desire is an important factor in shaping the social and cultural attitudes towards political change in any given society. It influences how individuals perceive their roles and responsibilities as citizens, and it affects the level of civic participation they are willing to engage in. When desire becomes morally justified, people are more likely to accept and embrace changes that may challenge their way of life, beliefs, or values.