مقاله سال ۲۰۱۶

Across political and business markets, a rising emotionality is visible in electoral campaigns and discourses about business (Frayne, 2013). Candidates, business leaders, and organizations face often shrill and aggressive criticism, given “institutions are the only way society has found to enable people to cope with primitive feelings like dependence, rage, and hate” (Miller & Khaleelee, 1985).

• Identity shapes political party and candidate preferences and signals tribal loyalty or common values. From the Tea Party in the US to UKIP and Podemos in Europe, deep-seated needs around status and self-respect, alongside specific economic and social justice demands (also value-laden), inform political movements. • We see the rise of “political shopping” (Hertz, 2003), where ethical consumerism or buying products to overtly signal values and beliefs are more mainstream.

The increased aggression in the public information environment is driven in part by changes in the media landscape. In a 24/7 news cycle with bitter competition, media outlets have to shout louder for attention, and as a result, leaders and organizations often have to deal with a “permanent acupuncture of criticism” (D’Ancona, 2013). Social media also often rewards the immediate and instinctive over the considered and balanced. • The growing prevalence of conspiracy thinking and anti-establishment views impact businesses and organizations (Trayner, 2015). Healthy skepticism about power can morph into a never-ending desire to take on an enemy who is intent on undermining a way of life, whether the threat is immigrants, bankers, the European Union or multinational corporations.