Dehumanization in Politics: A Threat to Democracy

When we dehumanize the other, we don’t just deny their humanity; We erode the very foundations of our democracy.

In the history of our democracy, few phenomena are as corrosive and destructive as dehumanization in the political arena. Recently, this nefarious tactic has tainted Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in a very personal way, testing not only his resilience but also the integrity of our political system. The opening of proceedings by a court against his wife, Begoña Gómez, for alleged influence peddling, is a clear reflection of how dehumanization has become rooted in the political strategies of certain sectors, crossing boundaries that should never be crossed.

This episode is not an isolated case, but the culmination of five years of constant harassment that has included snares, slander and direct attacks on him and more recently on his family, leading the president to reconsider his political career. This toxic climate, fomented by sectors of the right and the far right, poses a palpable threat not only to the individuals directly affected, but to democracy itself. How did we get to this point where politics not only divides, but actively dehumanizes its participants?

Nor is it a phenomenon exclusive to Spain. In the last decade, the European political landscape has undergone a remarkable change, with an increase in electoral support for far-right parties, which has gone from 8% to 13% on our continent. From Hungary, where the far-right governs with great force, to Italy, led by a coalition in which the far-right plays a central role, and in Nordic countries such as Sweden and Finland, the strengthening of extremists is evident. Even in Portugal, the advance of these flows has been remarkable. In many of these countries, the right has not only facilitated the integration of extremists into governments, but has also adopted their discourses and policies. This trend highlights the urgency of addressing polarisation and dehumanisation as issues that transcend national borders and require joint reflection and action at European level.

It is imperative that we, as citizens, engage in deep reflection on the direction our politics is taking. We must ask ourselves how we can eradicate this politics from the mire and restore the principles of respect, fairness and justice that are fundamental to any democratic society. This critical moment for our country requires serious introspection and a call to action. Not only is the future of a president at stake, but the very soul of our national coexistence.

These types of tactics are not only intended to undermine the personal and family integrity of the President, but are also designed to undermine what he represents: a progressive vision of Spain, continuously validated by millions of citizens at the ballot box. These attacks are not only directed against him, but against a social democratic political project, which advocates economic advancement, social justice and democratic regeneration. They represent an attempt to divert attention from the real problems facing our country and the concrete measures that the government has implemented to respond to the real needs of citizens.

The starting point for our civic reflection must be to become aware of how dehumanization and political polarization are eroding the foundations of our democracy. These processes not only undermine respect for human dignity and equality, but also compromise essential principles such as transparency, justice and pluralism. This deterioration is not theoretical: it manifests itself in the growing acceptance of discourses that strip political opponents of their humanity, in the unequal application of laws, and in a culture of impunity that extends beyond politics. For example, we observe how deliberate disinformation campaigns undermine transparency and promote false narratives that polarize society, while the selective use of justice to persecute political opponents illustrates a troubling deviation from judicial impartiality that should be sacred. These events are alarming symptoms of a democracy in crisis, and it is imperative that as citizens, we recognize these signs and consider their profound impact on our political and social coexistence.

Five Key Values That Are Being Particularly Affected

At the core of any robust and healthy democracy lie fundamental values that not only structure our civic coexistence but also strengthen our institutions and enrich our life in society. However, these democratic pillars are under increasing threat due to corrosive phenomena such as dehumanization and political polarization. These processes are not mere abstract challenges; they have profound and concrete implications that threaten five essential values of our democracy: human dignity, plural dialogue, citizen participation, tolerance and social cohesion, and judicial impartiality. Each of these values represents an essential aspect of the democratic fabric that allows societies not only to survive but to thrive. The erosion of these values already has a number of negative consequences today, such as the weakening of legal structures, the increase in social polarization, the decline of citizen participation, and the deterioration of national consensus and solidarity.

The purpose of my reflection is to contribute to the debate from my personal conviction that dehumanization and polarization are not only attacks on individual principles, but also interconnect and mutually reinforce their destructive effects, endangering the integrity and viability of our democracy. The purpose of this analysis is not only to highlight these threats, but also to promote critical reflection on the measures needed to reaffirm and protect the fundamental pillars of our coexistence.

1. Respect for Human Dignity:

One of the fundamental pillars of democracy is the inherent respect for the dignity of each individual. This principle holds that all human beings deserve to be treated with respect and consideration, regardless of their differences. However, dehumanization in politics profoundly undermines this value by treating individuals or groups as inferior, stripping them of their humanity and reducing them to mere stereotypes or devalued categories. This degrading treatment can manifest itself in discourses that not only depersonalize but also demonize, promoting policies that discriminate against or exclude certain groups, violating their fundamental rights.

Since Pedro Sanchez became president, the efforts of both opposition parties have focused on delegitimizing the Spanish government and its president. During this time, the right and the ultra-right have employed strategies of dehumanization to undermine the figure of the President, through the pejorative use of the term ‘Sanchismo’.” This term has been loaded with an extremely negative connotation, using it as a symbol of corruption and incompetence, with the aim of dehumanizing the president and reducing his public image to a malevolent caricature. Such tactics not only unfairly attack the President’s personal integrity, but also ignore and discredit the achievements of his administration, which has implemented successful policies in areas such as the economy and social welfare.

This manipulation of language and public image is a clear example of how dehumanization is used in politics to attack individuals not only in their political capacities but in their human essence, stripping them of dignity and fostering an environment of hostility and division. Such a strategy not only erodes respect for the human dignity of the leader in question, but also prevents a healthy political debate based on objective realities, replacing it with an emotionally charged confrontation and misinformation.

2. Dialogue and Pluralism:

Pluralism is an essential component of any democracy that prides itself on being open and equitable. This value holds that a variety of opinions, beliefs, and lifestyles should not only coexist, but also be actively encouraged and protected. Pluralism strengthens democracy by ensuring that there is no single “valid voice” and that all citizens have the opportunity to be heard in a framework of mutual respect. It allows for open debate, dissent, and constructive deliberation, all of which are vital for informed and fair decision-making.

The permanent political confrontation and the denial of the legitimacy of the adversary are exacerbated by disinformation on social networks, which constitutes a serious threat to dialogue and pluralism in our society. This phenomenon manifests itself in an ongoing attempt to create an unbreathable political climate, where the goal is to divide society and polarize public debate, fostering constant confrontation. This dynamic of confrontation is not limited to the discursive sphere; it extends to concrete actions that have a significant impact on the country’s political structure, such as the unconstitutional attempt to control the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ). Such actions show a total disregard for the institutional erosion it entails and underscore the serious threat that this behaviour poses to pluralism and society’s ability to manage its differences through constructive dialogue.

Such an environment not only hinders mutual understanding and collaboration between different sectors of society, but also weakens the democratic structure itself by undermining trust in the institutions charged with preserving balance and impartiality in public life. When political debate becomes a perpetual battleground with no room for negotiation or agreement, the possibilities for collective progress and social development are severely limited.

3. Citizen Participation:

Citizen participation is the engine that drives a living and functional democracy. It goes far beyond the simple act of voting; It encompasses the active involvement of citizens in dialogue and ongoing public deliberation, ensuring that government truly reflects the will and needs of the people. This type of participation includes everything from attending town halls and being part of civic organizations to participating in public debates and expressing opinions on social media platforms.

The growing disillusionment among young people regarding their economic prospects and their place in society profoundly illustrates how political polarization and the lack of dialogue between major parties on these issues of state can threaten citizen participation. They were promised that education and personal effort would open doors to a prosperous future and upward socio-economic mobility. However, faced with job insecurity and economic stagnation, many young people have lost faith in these promises and, by extension, in the political system that backed them.

This disenchantment not only puts their economic well-being at risk, but also erodes their willingness to participate in political processes. By perceiving that the system does not meet their expectations or respect their efforts, young people may feel alienated and discouraged from voting, participating in public debates, or engaging in civic activities. This withdrawal from active participation weakens democracy, as a political system that fails to involve a significant part of its young population is at risk of losing its relevance and effectiveness.

4. Tolerance and Social Cohesion:

Tolerance and social cohesion are crucial elements for the stability and prosperity of any democratic society. Tolerance, understood as the respect and acceptance of the diversity of opinions, beliefs and lifestyles, allows different groups to live together in harmony and collaborate in the construction of an integrated community. Social cohesion, on the other hand, refers to the bonds that unite the members of a society, including family ties, which constitutes a serious threat to dialogue and pluralism in our society.

However, extreme polarization and dehumanization pose serious threats to these democratic pillars. Dehumanization, by reducing individuals or groups to negative stereotypes and denying their human worth, erodes tolerance by fostering attitudes of contempt and exclusion toward those considered “other.” Not only does this promote social segregation, but it can also incite hostility and conflict, breaking down the social fabric that holds the community together.

The impact of a fractured society is profound. Internal tensions and conflicts not only consume resources and energies that could be better used for collective progress, but also discourage investment, affect the country’s international image, and reduce the quality of life for all citizens. To counter these destructive tendencies, it is essential to develop policies and practices that foster inclusion, educate in values of mutual respect, and contribute to dialogue and family cohesion.

5. Judicial Impartiality

The impartiality of the judicial system is an essential requirement for the fair functioning of any rule of law. When the population begins to view judicial decisions as influenced by political or ideological factors, rather than by an objective assessment of the law and facts, public confidence in the ability of these institutions to administer justice in a fair and equitable manner is significantly reduced.

This is the case of the decision of a Madrid court to admit a complaint by the Manos Limpias trade union against Begoña Gómez, wife of the President, for alleged crimes of influence peddling and corruption in business. This decision was made despite the fact that the complaint was based solely on press clippings and the like, with no additional evidence to support it. Importantly, the Supreme Court has established for a decade that media information alone, if not supported by additional evidence, is not enough to open a criminal case against someone.

Not only does this incident call into question consistency and adherence to established judicial precedents, but it also reflects how judicial decisions can be influenced by external factors beyond the legal merits of a case. The admission of such a claim, in the absence of solid evidence and based on media reports, can be perceived as a form of political persecution rather than an act of justice. This undermines public confidence in the impartiality of the courts, which is essential for the maintenance of a fair and equitable judicial system.

The need to act is now more urgent than ever

Tackling dehumanization and polarization in our society is no easy feat, and there are no magic solutions that can instantly solve these deep-seated problems. Democratic values require time and constant commitment from all sectors of society to be effectively cultivated and protected.Democracy is, in essence, a collective exercise that depends on participation, mutual respect, and tolerance among all its members. These values are the cement that binds the fabric of our society together and allows us to move towards common goals in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation.

Therefore, the need for action is now more urgent than ever. We cannot allow ourselves to be mere spectators at this critical moment in our history. Every citizen has a role to play in healing our society: from the educator who encourages critical thinking among their students, to the journalist who strives to provide unbiased coverage; from the politician who promotes inclusive policies to the ordinary citizen who chooses dialogue over division.

The media has a significant role in how politics is perceived and discussed. Promoting a code of conduct for the media that discourages polarization and promotes balanced, deeply researched coverage can help mitigate dehumanization. This could include guidelines to avoid sensationalism and excessive focus on conflict and confrontation, as well as incentives for programs that foster understanding and dialogue between different communities and points of view.

As a humanistic technologist, I believe that technology should amplify our humanity, not replace it. I am convinced that artificial intelligence (AI) can be crucial in mitigating dehumanization and polarization in politics. This is made possible by tools that identify and filter hate speech, misinformation, and polarizing content on social media and other news platforms.

Together, we have the capacity and responsibility to reaffirm and revitalize our democracy. This will require sustained and conscious efforts to reintegrate the values of respect, justice and dialogue into the heart of our public life. Only then can we ensure that democracy, with all its promise of freedom and fairness, can not only survive, but thrive for future generations.

Update: The President’s Decision

In the days leading up to the publication of my reflection, the question that resonated in everyone’s mind was, ‘What will the President finally do?’ Some were of the opinion that he should continue in office out of political responsibility, while others felt that while politics is important, such a high price should not be paid for serving the country. Personally, I was inclined to think that personal and family reasons would prevail, which would probably lead the President to prepare his resignation and temporarily withdraw from Spanish political life, with the possibility of returning to European politics in the not too distant future.

Anyway, I asked ChatGPT what it thinks President should do and this was its response: “In such a difficult situation, the most important thing is to be true to yourself and your core values. Politics is significant, but it should not completely consume personal health and happiness. If you decide to continue, it would be wise to take steps to protect yourself and your family from toxicity as much as possible, while actively working to reform the political climate. If you choose to resign, doing so with dignity and a clear plan will help ensure that your previous efforts and sacrifices have not been in vain.”

Today, that question has been answered. Pedro Sánchez announced this Monday in an institutional statement that he remains as President of the Government, after a five-day period of reflection that has kept his country and his party on tenterhooks.

In his speech, the President reaffirmed his decision to confront and lead the fight against a phenomenon that he considers one of the most serious problems at the global level in politics today: disinformation and polarization. He stressed that these problems are not unique to Spain, but are part of a global reactionary movement that seeks to impose a regressive agenda through defamation, hatred and the exploitation of unfounded fears, which have no basis in science or rationality.

His proposal for democratic regeneration focuses on demonstrating to the world how democracy should be defended through a collective, serene and democratic rejection, which transcends partisan divisions and ideologies. The President underlined his commitment to firmly lead this crusade from his position as President of the Government of Spain, setting a clear course towards strengthening democratic values and the fight against dehumanisation and division in society. This approach not only seeks to address Spain’s internal challenges, but also to position itself as a leader in the global effort for a fairer policy based on mutual respect and truth.

The road ahead demands that the President and his team detail and execute clear policies that address the causes, not just the symptoms of polarization and dehumanization that plague our politics. It will be essential that these measures are not only communicated in a transparent manner, but also perceived as genuine and effective by the public. We, as observers and participants in this democratic process, must remain vigilant and active, ensuring that the promise of democratic regeneration translates into tangible and positive change for our society.