I Want Compassion — Not Pity

Pity and Political Persuasion: A Political / Public Pity Equation

The five factors that distill pity

The key drivers of pity — “P” — can be summarized as follows:

1. Unreservedness (U) — The suffering is open and unhidden.
2. Surprise (S) — The event comes unexpectedly.
3. Gravity (G) — The situation is serious and weighty.
4. Resemblance (R) — The suffering is inflicted on those with whom we share similarities.
5. Closeness to Fate (C) — The event unfolds close enough to cast a shadow on our own destiny.

The political pity equation

Together, these factors form a strikingly apt model for dissecting how political actors weaponize pity for the purpose of political persuasion:

P = U + S + G + R + C

Reference: Prof. Schlevogt’s Compass No. 20 — The Political Pity Equation: Who Deserves Our Tears?

Peace on Earth

PAIX SUR TERRE

وعلي الأرض السلم وفي الناس المسرة