"Democracy asks a great deal of people. It asks them to tolerate disagreement, accept uncertainty, listen to those who think differently, and live with the fact that no group can fully control the future."
"When people feel safe, connected, respected, capable, and hopeful, they can better tolerate complexity. They can pause before reacting, distinguish disagreement from threat, and remain open to negotiation."
"The theory of universal psychological needs proposes that human functioning depends on six core psychological needs: safety, belonging, autonomy, competence, dignity, and meaning."
"When frustrated, people may become more vulnerable to fear, resentment, withdrawal, rigid thinking, or radical promises of certainty."
Democracy demands individuals to tolerate disagreement and accept uncertainty while sharing public space with diverse values. Psychological regulation is essential for these capacities to develop. When individuals feel safe and respected, they can better manage complexity and engage in constructive dialogue. Conversely, chronic feelings of insecurity and exclusion can undermine democratic engagement. The theory of universal psychological needs identifies six core needs that are foundational for psychological stability. Meeting these needs fosters agency and resilience, while their frustration can lead to fear and rigid thinking, impacting democratic life.
#democracy #psychological-regulation #social-stability #core-psychological-needs #political-engagement
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