Human nature and the first image: emotion in international politics

Abstract

Analysts commonly view emotion as irrational, as part of human nature, and therefore as part of a first-image approach to politics. However, emotion is necessary to rationality and first-image and human nature arguments are not synonymous. A first-image explanation can be independent of human nature, and a human nature argument can be used at different levels-of-analysis. This essay first explores the relationship between emotion and rationality and breaks the literature on emotion down into four groups: as epiphenomenal, as a source of irrationality, as a tool for savvy strategic actors, and as a necessary aspect of rationality. After developing different approaches to emotion, the essay explores three uses of emotion at different levels-of-analysis.