What is it about?
This paper looks at the tweets published by Nigel Farage, Brexit campaigner and far-right politician. By comparing his tweets with those of four other prominent UK politicians, it shows how he presents anger as an emotion that is justifiably shared by large numbers of people. By doing this, he engages with voters who are disaffected with politics and dissatisfied with their lives. At the same time, he offers justifications for anger and violence that are potentially dangerous.
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Why is it important?
Extremist politicians of all kinds (right, left, nationalist) know how to manipulation our emotions. Anger is an important emotion, because unlike fear or anxiety, anger is an emotion that makes people take action and vote for radical change.
Perspectives
This publication helps us to understand the way populists communicate, and explain some of their success over the last few years. In particular, it shows the importance of their mastery of social media.
Dr Ruth Breeze
Universidad de Navarra
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Angry tweets, Journal of Language Aggression and Conflict, February 2020, John Benjamins,
DOI: 10.1075/jlac.00033.bre.
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