Emotions and cognitions in Post-Revolution Iran's foreign policy in the light of historical lived experiences

Politics has been affected by studies of emotions and cognitions. This discussion in the field of politics in the framework of political psychology has found a special point in the studies of politics in general and foreign policy in particular. Therefore; the previous duality of reason/ emotion is rejected, and these are, not only not in conflict with each other, but for decision-making, the emotional and rational-reasoning parts of the brain are engaged together. One of the variables that provokes emotions is historical lived experiences that affect cognitions and may appear in behavior as consequences. The object of this research is to investigate the role of emotions in Iran's foreign policy decisions. The main question is, which emotions have played more role in cognitions in Iran's foreign policy? Generally, five types of emotions that were caused by the historical lived experience of Iranians can be examined in the formal and informal behavior of this country. These emotions are mistrust and anger (toward the United States of America), doubt and hidden sadness (toward Russia), confidence (toward China), fear (deterrence and increasing military capabilities), and love and Empathy (regarding some aligned identities in the region and axis of resistance). This paper will answer the main question by applying the point of view of "emotional politics" theorists

Introduction

Paying attention to emotion-affected behaviors of human beings in politics is a relatively old subject. The study of political psychology points out the role of emotions in politicians' aspects of personality, the factors that affect their decisions and the effects that such decisions have on people's collective life. The subject of the relationship between emotion and perception in politics has earned a special place in political psychology, generally in political studies and particularly in foreign policies. Therefore, former confrontations of reason and emotion are refused. Not only they are not in opposition, but emotional and rational parts of the brain should get involved together. One of the variables that provokes emotions is historical lived experience. It affects perceptions and consequently may show in behaviors. Iran's foreign policy after the revolution is a reflection of historical national emotions in a collective spirit. In other words, inflicted wounds on Iranians' emotions throughout history, who have suffered massive offenses, are noticeable in Iran's macro foreign political orientations after the Islamic revolution. So, this research tries to answer the following question: "How does the subject of emotions affect Iran's foreign policy, people or politicians?" If you analyze foreign policy from a historical and accumulative view and also analyze the role of emotions over a long period, novel aspects would appear for research. From this point of view, Iran's foreign policy after the revolution should be considered a reflection of the national and religious emotions of residents of Iran's current geographical region, that directly or indirectly affects foreign behaviors of governments. Hereof, If the foundations of the identity of citizens and those who are not political elites, national or religious, get overshadowed, the pressure of public opinion may manifest in politicians' behaviors. On the other hand, active politicians of a country have emotions of their own as human beings, so their effect on the foreign behavior of a country can show in two scenarios: First, in decisions made by the effect of emotions in their viewpoint and the formation of their political personalities. Second, their attitude toward other politicians in the process of advancing diplomacy and communicating with leaders of other countries.

 Theoretical Framework

To analyze the role of foreign policy, three stages can be reviewed: 1) Emotions and decision-making: The role of emotions in the process of decision-making can provide a foundation for understanding the effects of immaterial motives on decisions and the way of conducting them; some emotions create powerful motivators. For example, the emotion of anger can make people willful to punish offenders or seek revenge. 2) Emotions and diplomacy: There is an approach focusing on the matter of how people in direct negotiations with senior foreign leaders' judge their intentions based on the emotional phrases they use. Another approach focuses on the effects of emotional expression on the social dynamics of diplomacy. Leaders negotiating with foreign partners mostly need to judge the intentions of the opposite party. 3) Emotions and non-elites in foreign policy: Emotions can also affect the process of decision-making in foreign policy by affecting public opinion. Emotional reactions to occurrences can gather people around a political agenda and create new demands for their leaders to act upon.

Methodology

 A Method is a way of addressing the subject of a theory. As ontology, epistemologies and various epistemological goals are effective in the general methods of wisdom and at the widest level of methodology, different scientific theories affect the research method of understanding the subjects that the theories refer to. Generally, method and theory are related to each other; 1) Their relationship is "directing the method of research" because of the type of research. 2) Theory and method are related to each other because they both belong to "concepts". 3) Method and theory are related to each other because they both belong to theoretical perceptions. Therefore, the method of this research, about the theoretical framework, is based on a qualitative, historical and analytical method.

Results & Discussion

Nowadays, it is an emerging matter in foreign policy to study how emotions can mold political perceptions, interests and behaviors of actors and how international actors may try to manipulate, restrain or employ emotions for their political goals. we can measure some of the most important perceptions and tangible manifestations of Iran's foreign behavior based on emotions/ emotional policy in a historical context and based on historical lived experiences. we can categorize this policy by viewing it in a historical context: 1) Trusting (China) because of the history of relationships between the two countries demonstrating that they don't seek imperialistic goals in Iran and both countries are involved in peaceful coexistence. 2) Distrusting (USA) referred to as the "troublesome past" is a live, still active past and current matters are addressed considering the former animosities that are continued. 3) Doubting (Russia) is a challenging matter among people and government. Public opinion is doubtful about relationships with that country considering their near and far memories of it. 4) Empathy (for liberation movements) is based on the Iranians' spirit and Shia culture that considers believing in justice, confronting oppression and supporting the oppressed as elements that reproduce Iran's political power and are the most highlighted elements of the resistance's political language. 5) Insecurity/ fear (about military doctrines) is a result of bitter historical experiences of being targeted by attacks, foreign infiltration, occupation and war. They all result in adopting military doctrines.

Conclusions & Suggestions

The matter of interference of emotions and feelings in politics and foreign policy was a result of the confrontation between reason and emotion which put emotions against reason and rationality. That viewpoint saw emotions as an irrational obstacle that blocks logic and rational judgment. Even in a positive view, emotions used to be seen as irrelevant variables to politics. In the most negative view, emotions have been believed to disrupt or prevent neutral stances in politics and effective political results. However, studies by experts in the field of emotions came to an opposite conclusion. Emotions exist in all aspects of political life, political person and consequently governments. In this research, we tried to study Iran's foreign policy from an "emotional politics" point of view. We identified at least five emotions by reviewing Iran's history and historical lived experiences: Trust, distrust, doubt, fear and empathy. In the end, we concluded that emotions have been effective on Iran's foreign policy after the revolution on two levels, non-elites (people) and elites (politicians).