Don't Talk About Politics (And What To Do Instead)

by Sarah Stein Lubrano

Overview

“Don't talk about politics” is a common piece of advice. Like religion, money and sex, it's a subject that causes arguments, creates division and leaves everyone feeling awkward. In fact, as this radical, groundbreaking work of sociology shows: talking about politics is pointless. We spend our lives watching political arguments unfold on social media and the news on a daily basis, and yet despite all the speeches, opinion pieces and protests, most people will not change their political views over the course of their lifetime. We might believe in the power of rational debates and impassioned demonstrations, but as Sarah Stein Lubrano argues, as much as we like to think that they convince people – they don't.

Everything that we're doing now in politics is wrong. If we want to reduce prejudice and get people engaging more in democracy, we need to get rid of all our old ideas. Sarah Stein Lubrano brings together psychology, neuroscience and political theory to ask that all-important question, what actually does change our minds? This is an essential book for anyone who wants to understand how we think, and the unknown factors that do influence our beliefs. From friendship to community organizing and social infrastructure, it explores a rich history of powerful political movements that have changed the world to show you how you can do the same today, leaving you feeling encouraged and confident so that you can engage in politics positively and productively.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781399413923
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	07/22/2025
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Sarah Stein Lubrano is spokesperson and researcher at Alain de Botton's School of Life. Sarah's research on politics, communication and activism began at Harvard, and then Cambridge University and continues at Oxford University. Her academic work focuses on cognitive dissonance, a psychological phenomenon where people experience discomfort when faced with a contradiction between two or more of their beliefs or actions.