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Don't Think of an Elephant George Lakoff

Don't Think of an Elephant By George Lakoff

Don't Think of an Elephant by George Lakoff


£5.30
New RRP £7.50
Condition - Very Good
<20 in stock

Summary

Shows how progressive politicians can help to shape the political debate

Don't Think of an Elephant Summary

Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate by George Lakoff

Donit Think of an Elephant! is the definitive handbook for understanding what happened in the 2004 US election and communicating effectively about key issues facing America today. Author George Lakoff has become a key advisor to the Democratic party, helping them develop their message and frame the political debate.
In this book Lakoff explains how conservatives think, and how to counter their arguments. His years of research and work with environmental and political leaders have been distilled into this essential guide, which shows progressives how to think in terms of values instead of programmes, and why people vote for their values and identities, often against their best interests.
Donit Think of An Elephant! is the antidote to the last forty years of conservative strategizing and the right wingis stranglehold on political dialogue in the United States

Don't Think of an Elephant Reviews

"Fascinating insights into why progressives lose good causes and how they can start winning again. You will never listen to a political speech the same way after reading this book."--Tina Brown, Host of CNBC's Topic A with Tina Brown


Publishers Weekly-Lakoff, a cognitive scientist and linguist at Berkeley, believes he knows why conservatives have been so successful in recent years and how progressives like himself can beat them at their own game. This slim book presents a simple, accessible overview of his theory of "moral politics" and a call to action for Democrats mourning November's election results. Lakoff's persuasive argument focuses on two ideas: what he calls "framing," and the opposition of liberals' and conservatives' concepts of the family. Conservatives, he says, have easily framed tax cuts as "tax relief" because of widespread, preexisting views of taxes as burdensome, and liberals have had little success conveying the idea that taxes are a social responsibility. In Lakoff's view, conservatives adhere to a "strict father" model of family, in contrast to liberals' "nurturant parent" view, and he sees this difference as the key to understanding most of the two sides' clashes. His writing is clear and succinct, and he illuminates his theories through easy-to-follow examples from current politics. Although the book has been updated since the election, many of its sections were originally written long beforehand, so some comments are outdated (at one point Lakoff wonders, for example, whether George Bush's support of the gay marriage amendment will help him keep the White House). However, the process of regaining power may be a long one for Democrats, and Lakoff's insights into how to deal with conservatives and appeal to the general public are bound to light a fire under many progressives.

About George Lakoff

George Lakoff is a Professor of Cognitive Science and Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley, and is a founding senior fellow at the Rockridge Institute. He is one of the worldis best-known linguists. Since the mid-1980s he has been applying cognitive linguistics to the study of politics, especially the framing of public political debate. He is the author of the influential book, Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think (2nd edition, 2002).

Table of Contents

Foreword by Howard Dean Introduction by Don Hazen Preface: Reframing Is Social Change Part I: Theory and Application Framing 101: How to Take Back Public Discourse Enter the Terminator! Whatis in a Word? Plenty, if Itis Marriage Metaphors of Terror Metaphors That Kill Betrayal of Trust: Beyond Lying Part II: From Theory to Action What the Right Wants What Unites Progressives FAQ How to Respond to Conservatives

Additional information

GOR002613589
9781931498715
1931498717
Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate by George Lakoff
Used - Very Good
Paperback
Chelsea Green Publishing Co
1990-01-01
144
Commended for Nautilus Award (Social Change) 2005
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Don't Think of an Elephant