The Beauty of the Citizenry: Attachments, Democratic and Non-

• In Event: Aesthetics and Politics in an "Age of Populism"

Abstract

Despite its manifold risks, beauty is relevant to political theory and practice because of its capacity to elicit (emotional and practical) attachment. It deserves attention due to the pervasiveness of detachment and ugliness in contemporary politics. This presentation begins with Walt Whitman’s regard for the democratic citizenry as beautiful (and worthy of emotional attachment). However, an obvious problem with beauty in a pluralistic, diverse society has to do with its tendencies to reinforce conventional perceptual and affective norms and to elicit anti-democratic attitudes toward the other, such as fascination and objectification. The possibilities of democratic attachment despite these dangers are explored in relation to Frantz Fanon’s and Alia Al-Saji’s discussions of race and visibility.

Author

• Stephen Bush, Brown University