The role fear plays in society

The role fear plays in society

I wonder if we fully understand the role that fear plays in society today. I wonder if fear has any competition when it comes to the instincts that drive us.

Denial of climate change can be based on fear. Those who oppose man-made climate change are afraid of losing their standard of living, afraid of being told that their habits are bad for the earth, and afraid of changes that will make them worse off.

Fear also sets the tone for much of today's politics. Politicians often use fear to advance their cause. Populist political leaders do not dictate a country's morality. They are a product of it. People did not become xenophobic, sexist, racist on the day leaders were elected or became popular. Leaders are popular because some of the population has these prejudices.

Now the coronavirus is with us. And it can be difficult to say when precautions regarding the virus become fear.

It is Christmas Eve in 1965, and Olof Palme, 38 years old, speaks on Swedish Radio. Palme wants to highlight a major societal change that has begun. Sweden is becoming an immigrant country.

"We like to consider ourselves prejudice-free and tolerant, but it is not that simple," says Palme.

He continues: “Prejudice always has its roots in everyday life. It grows in the workplace and in the neighborhood. It is an outlet for one's own failures and disappointments. It is above all an expression of ignorance and fear. Ignorance of other people's uniqueness, fear of losing a position, a social privilege, a right.”

The discussion on both sides of the Atlantic after George Floyd's brutal death highlights what Olof Palme said 55 years ago. Today it can be called systemic racism.

The evil forces do not disappear. Could this be due to fear? For anyone living with immigration, globalization, multicultural societies, climate change, populist political leaders and the coronavirus, fear can become a force out of control.

Can we overcome fear? We should be able to. I believe that knowledge can overcome fear. And if we become secure in our cultural identities and values, we can hopefully master what we are uncertain of and the fears that come with it. Isn’t it worth a try?

David Wold