Don't Talk About Politics

Democracy is dying because we are clinging to a dangerous and outdated myth: talking about politics can change people's minds. It doesn't.

This provocative debut from a bold new voice combines a fascinating range of research to show us the psychological and sociological factors that really shape our politics.

Drawing from ancient philosophy to modern neuroscience and social science, Dr Sarah Stein Lubrano reveals the surprising truth about how people think and behave politically. From friendship to community organizing and social infrastructure, she explores the actions that actually do change minds.

In a world where politics keeps getting more irrational, dishonest, violent and chaotic, it's getting much harder to reach people with words alone. So people who really care about democracy must ask: how can we stop arguing and do the deep work to build stronger foundations for political life, and a better world for us all?

Review

This book changed the way I talk about politics. ― Grace Blakeley, author of Vulture Capitalism

Eye opening and necessary. ― Alain de Botton, author of The Consolations of Philosophy and Essays in Love

A timely and hopeful critique of today's political culture, Sarah Stein Lubrano challenges us to rethink politics. ― Alice Cappelle, author of Collapse Feminism: The Online Battle for Feminism's Future

A rare combination of cognitive science and critical theory... A skillful, meticulous dismantling of debate culture. ― Sophie Lewis, author of Abolish the Family and Enemy Feminisms

[A] thought-provoking debut work. ― Daily Mail

About the Author

Dr Sarah Stein Lubrano holds a PhD from the University of Oxford and a Master's degree from the University of Cambridge. Her thinking often reaches the public through the Sense and Solidarity Initiative and the Future Narratives Lab. She was previously the Head of Content at The School of Life, tutored in prisons and wrote obituaries. She regularly appears on public radio and a variety of podcasts.