To Her That Overcometh: The Lure of Grand Theories and the Audacity of Joy

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By M. Ernita Joaquin
October 25, 2024

If I don’t start my day right, nowadays, fear seems to find me, through one social medium or another. It insists that an enemy is taking away my pets, my job or even my salvation. This clangor tries to soothe itself with a narrative that not only blames that enemy for every misfortune or crime but also offers a simple solution to erase all the unpleasantness—so that I’ll never have to fear again.

Without a strong foundation in love, a fresh memory of laughter or a decent night’s sleep, a daily dose of this un-American pessimism would sap my ability to see myself on the same boat as my neighbors. In her 2013 book, Political Emotions, Martha Nussbaum wrote that “Fear often hijacks thought powerfully, making it difficult to think about anything else but oneself… once it gets going, the good of others is all too likely to fade into the background.”

The challenge is immense. Where indignation arises, grand theories are never far behind, driving the anxious toward singular causes or outright conspiracies. A classic example in public administration is the difficulty of firing civil servants. So, in 2020, Donald Trump signed an order creating “Schedule F,” which would have allowed the easy replacement of thousands of “deep statists” with political loyalists. The non-partisan Partnership for Public Service famously called Schedule F as “the One Ring. There’s a pull that makes you believe it can be used for good, but it just can’t.”  Joseph Biden’s victory prevented the order from taking effect. Yet, in a culture that downplays risk—whether it’s global warming or the erosion of professionalism—this “One Ring” didn’t fade into the shadows; it spawned a whole book of spells for many things that ail America.

It’s no coincidence, therefore, FDR’s inaugural speech about fearing fear is making the rounds. There is growing panic that dissociation from the truth is tearing America apart. And without a working conception of justice, a liberal state might take psychological steps to ensure its efficacy in the face of enemy propaganda. The risk is that, in doing so, it could become illiberal, selectively deciding which freedoms to ignore and which to uphold.

The government’s ability to “limit and properly direct” fear, as FDR did during the Depression, was clearly impaired in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Social media has undermined public engagement, pushing alternative realities that menace disaster response. While only the federal government has the resources for long-term recovery, controlling the crisis narrative is just as crucial as putting FEMA boots on the ground. Losing control of the narrative fuels mistrust and emboldens America’s adversaries.

The backdrop to this crisis-within-a-crisis, of course, is the 2024 election between Trump and Kamala Harris, and the global rise of the far-right. Time it was when a remark caught on video—like “This fellow Macaca here, or whatever his name is”—led to profuse apologies and eventual withdrawal of presidential ambitions. Today, one side has decided that xenophobia will seal the deal, as pollsters fail to provide a prediction with any confidence. Yet, having experienced the tumult of the Trump presidency, what we will need most in 2025 is confidence—confidence in our town halls, emergency units, neighborhoods and schools. Call it equanimity, faith or the composure we must summon to get through a most divisive time.

Pundits acknowledge that “vibe”—not 10-point platforms, not even a 900-page Project—will determine this election. If misleading the public is consequence-free for those spreading malice, the damage will only compound unless an equal force intervenes. So, a chorus of “joyful warriors” is taking on fear. You see comedians on this side because humor keeps us grounded.

“Joy” alone won’t be enough to govern, of course. We have lost our equilibrium. A common enemy did not unite us during COVID. We stand out for gun violence and weak worker protection among developed nations. In the Middle East, American influence and deterrence are breaking down. Our ethically challenged Supreme Court creates a law-free zone around the President while limiting the government’s ability to protect the public. Meanwhile, avian flu spreads and Congress continues to sidestep the cost of disasters. 

And then, there’s the trauma of January 6, 2021. The democratic bargain held—until it didn’t. Now, a legal arsenal has formed behind the emotions that drove that riot, capable of disputing election outcomes indefinitely. “Joy” is, therefore, a call to ensure our imagination doesn’t fail us again, even as historians and politicians downplay the threats we face. Yet, regardless of whether November 6 favors us or not, joy is about renewing our spirit daily to fend off indifference or learned helplessness. Humility in the public square–something even the high court seems to have abandoned—could help rebuild the political center.

---

Author: Dr. Ernita Joaquin is an Associate Professor of Public Administration in the School of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at San Francisco State University. She writes in the fields of executive politics, governance, crisis learning, and public affairs education. She holds graduate degrees from Northern Illinois University, University of the Philippines, and The University of Manchester. Email: [email protected]

(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)
Loading...