The Political Brain

The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation

By: Drew Westen

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

The Political Brain is a groundbreaking scientific investigation into how the mind and brain really work and how it affects the way candidates win and lose elections.

In politics, when reason and emotions collide, emotion invariably wins. In this landmark book, scientist and psychologist Drew Westen shows how electorates vote not with their heads but with their hearts, and how the marketplace that matters most is the marketplace of emotion - filled with values, images, analogies, moral sentiments, and moving oratory.

The first serious investigation into how emotions affect voter behavior, The Political Brain reveals how the political landscape would change if candidates began with a 21st-century understanding of how the mind and brain really work.

©2007 Drew Westen (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Drew Westen is a must read....we will win the Presidency if our candidate reads and acts on this book." (Howard Dean)
"This is the most interesting, informative book on politics I've read in many years...whether you're an interested voter or a candidate for public office, you have to read this book." (Bill Clinton)
"In the last several months, [Westen] has gone from a politically inclined nobody to a hot ticket." ( Los Angeles Times)

very good alternative view of voter behaviour

very biased towards democtatic party views, but underlying principles are interesting and potentially useful for politcial strategy

Hostage to Emotion

Well, someone finally tells me why "W" managed to get elected. The theory is that Republicans have been connecting emotionally with the electorate and the Democrats have been talking issues. Emotions rule. Makes sense to me. Since I listened to this book, I've been watching the primary campaigns--looking for strategies mentioned in the book. If you are interested in politics and the coming campaigns, you ought to buy this book.

Informative yet flawed

This book had a few interesting tidbits, but can be summed up as “Emotions persuade more effectively than ideas. Republican politicians have used strong emotional messages while Democrats have been using Ideas.” Well, sure. When it got to making suggestions of what “liberals” could do to communicate using emotional language the book seemed to break down. I found the author misguided. One example – the author contends that on the issue of gun control liberals must point out that owning guns for protection against unjust government is equivalent to owning guns to kill police and soldiers. This argument misses the point (and would not work). History is clear that an armed population discourages unjust government, and in the very worst case, the guns of a free people should be turned against unjust police or soldiers. The author does not really explain what liberals should do, other than to be like Bill Clinton – easier said than done.

Informative but Partisan

A scientific roadmap for political rhetoric that could be useful to members of all parties. But all readers should be aware going in that the bent is decidedly (and openly) Democratic centrism. If you're of another political persuasion, you may have to take a few breaks; but the journey will ultimately be rewarding.

Tells you why (less qualified) candidates win

Where does The Political Brain rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 20

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Political Brain?

Discussing the Bush-Gore debates

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No,

Any additional comments?

Very good analysis of the need for candidates to connect with voters on an emotional level and what happens when they try to be