Document Type

Article

Language

English

Publication Date

Summer 2013

Publisher

International Association for East-West Studies

Source Publication

Journal of East-West Thought

Source ISSN

2161-7236

Abstract

The problems of contemporary states are in large part “affective disorders”; they are failures of states to properly understand and coordinate the emotions of the individuals within and in some instances outside the state. By excluding, imprisoning, and marginalizing members of their societies, states create internal enemies who ultimately enervate their own power and the possibility of peace and freedom within the state. Spinoza’s political theory, based on the notion that the best forms of state are those that coordinate the power and emotions of those within a state, offers us both a diagnosis of and a cure for these affective disorders. In this paper I will outline Spinoza’s notion of the power of the state as a function of the power and coordination of the emotions of its citizens, and show that when the state contracts an affective disorder, such as excessive crime, rebellion, terrorism, etc. the state has failed to properly empower, include and coordinate the passions of the multitude of its citizens and subjects.

Comments

Published version. Journal of East-West Thought, Vol. 3, No. 3 (Summer 2013): 97-120. DOI. © 2013 International Association for East-West Studies (Cal Poly Pomona). Used with permission.

Ericka Tucker was affiliated with California State Polytechnic University at the time of publication.

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