Based on an original survey conducted specifically for this book, political scientist Antoine Bristielle analyzes the emotional underpinnings of fear in a democracy on the verge of igniting.

Social decline, insecurity, the ecological crisis… Faced with government missteps and anxiety-inducing international news, this emotion has become a common individual and collective state that fragments and polarizes our society. In this volatile context, fearmongers – from the media to politicians – cultivate an emotional strategy, like sorcerer's apprentices, for economic or electoral gain. Political scientist Antoine Bristielle maps out our anxieties to make public action more transparent and save democracy from collapse.