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The Three Languages of Politics
by
Arnold Kling
Progressives, conservatives, and libertarians use different languages to justify their beliefs. This increases polarization. This book enables readers to better understand different points of view.
Kindle Edition
Published
April 12th 2013
by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
(first published 2013)
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
Very short book, available only for Kindle format I think. Describes the differences in the language used by progressives, conservatives, and libertarians and why they have such a hard time communicating with each other.
Nothing terrifically deep or complex, but he references a lot of other writers I like, like Kahneman (Thinking, Fast and Slow) and Haidt (The Righteous Mind).
And I guess what I really like is that while the author is libertarian I think he is scrupulously fair to other viewpoints ...more
Nothing terrifically deep or complex, but he references a lot of other writers I like, like Kahneman (Thinking, Fast and Slow) and Haidt (The Righteous Mind).
And I guess what I really like is that while the author is libertarian I think he is scrupulously fair to other viewpoints ...more
One of the moments in grad school that I've come back to repeatedly is the day where we talked about hierarchies of needs and different models to explain them. Maslow and all that. The fact that there were multiple pseudo-rigorous ways to say that food and shelter were more basic and necessary than emotional validation or high self-esteem fascinated me, and to this day whenever I see a system that tries to explain some psychological or social phenomenon by using geometrical metaphors I get remin
...more
What's great about this book is that it paves the way for civil, thoughtful political discussion. Kling asserts there are three major political languages in contemporary America (conservative, progressive, and libertarian), and that no single language is sufficient for solving all the problems we face in every situation.
Kling says that each of these languages prioritizes different ideals:
1. Conservatives are primarily concerned with maintaining order and fending off barbarism.
2. Progressives ar ...more
Kling says that each of these languages prioritizes different ideals:
1. Conservatives are primarily concerned with maintaining order and fending off barbarism.
2. Progressives ar ...more
Aug 01, 2017
Shawn
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
philosophy,
political-thought
In this short book (essay really), Kling presents a structure to help you understand the nature of political discussions. We are always talking past each other, misunderstanding and misconstruing each other. Kling shows us that this is because we are in many ways speaking different languages. Kling calls these axes: Conservatives tend to speak in a barbarian/civilization axis; Progressives in a oppressor/oppressed axis, and Libertarians in a coercion/liberty axis. These axis tend to frame the wa
...more
Interesting
This is an interesting, but atypical passage:
Libertarians also look at government as the ultimate source of the problem. Libertarian economics is closely aligned with the Austrian school, and Austrian economists view central banks as the Dennis the Menace of capital markets, distorting interest rates and causing bubbles. Again, there is some plausibility to this, because housing prices did experience a bubble. However, there are problems with blaming this on Fed interest-rate policy, ...more
This is an interesting, but atypical passage:
Libertarians also look at government as the ultimate source of the problem. Libertarian economics is closely aligned with the Austrian school, and Austrian economists view central banks as the Dennis the Menace of capital markets, distorting interest rates and causing bubbles. Again, there is some plausibility to this, because housing prices did experience a bubble. However, there are problems with blaming this on Fed interest-rate policy, ...more
That politicians are working to strengthen their base and "speak" to their base in a language that they understand, is not a surprising conclusion. He is also correct that emotions about politics seem to divide us more now than they have in the past. On the other hand, I think that Watergate also divided the nation and that President's Ford pardon of former President Nixon did not resolve that divide.
There is a brief section that suggests the divide between Trump and non-Trump supporters is bas ...more
There is a brief section that suggests the divide between Trump and non-Trump supporters is bas ...more
This is a very short book written by a Libertarian Economist who wants to improve communication among the factions in US politics. His thesis is simple - Progressives, Conservatives and Libertarians start with a different set of assumptions and then use those lenses evaluate arguments based on those differing heuristics. For the Conservatives - political life is about a conflict between protecting civilization and barbarism. For the Progressive the model shifts to a conflict between the oppresse
...more
Should Be Required Reading
Dr. Kling eloquently describes why most politically inclined folks fall prey to the fast thinking that more often than not comes from our polarized media. Only with slow thinking can we start to make progress in some of the most troublesome issues that malign our society. If we avoid the talking head noise and the bluster of those entrenched in their chosen tribe, we can start to see a reasoned reality from which understanding and progress take root.
Dr. Kling eloquently describes why most politically inclined folks fall prey to the fast thinking that more often than not comes from our polarized media. Only with slow thinking can we start to make progress in some of the most troublesome issues that malign our society. If we avoid the talking head noise and the bluster of those entrenched in their chosen tribe, we can start to see a reasoned reality from which understanding and progress take root.
The perspective offered—see other reviews for specifics—is worthy, and one does need to be reminded how limiting language is as a delimiter between our ideas and beliefs and those that differ from our own. That said, the author indicates from the start that this is a paradigm at which he has arrived after reading seven or eight interesting studies about belief and opinion formation, rather than any particularly robust study. But maybe I'm just betraying my own political language...
A great entry level insight into political language.
Very helpful in understanding my own political tendencies and the importance and objective and slow thinking. I now see the world through a slightly different coloured lense.
Very helpful in understanding my own political tendencies and the importance and objective and slow thinking. I now see the world through a slightly different coloured lense.
Interesting look at the language we use, and how to understand our political adversaries language. If you're interested in why two people can see the world differently, I would recommend Thomas Sowell's A Conflict of Vision, which the author does cite.
Really great book. Gives a solid base for understanding how people communicate in politics and challenges you to try to understand others communication so you can have a real conversation about a complicated political topic.
Fantastic
While short, the author's message about viewing opposing political sides charitably and disentangling oneself from one's own biases and heuristics ought to be required reading in our hyper partisan age.
While short, the author's message about viewing opposing political sides charitably and disentangling oneself from one's own biases and heuristics ought to be required reading in our hyper partisan age.
A very short and simplistic theory on how Americans communicate politically. It was an interesting idea, but I would have preferred more in depth research to support his ideas.
This short book really clarified things and changed my outlook. It feels like a more concise and modern version of "Getting to Yes". No tips and tricks, but a good model for thinking.
In spite of awarding only three stars, I recommend this book for anyone trying to understand politics. 'Recommend' provided you read other books on the same subject. George Lakoff's The Political Mind is a good place to start.
Kling is a Libertarian and it shows. To be fair, he is up front about it, but it would be clear without the confession. Let's start with his glaring inclusion of Libertarian as one of the three major political groupings in the U.S. Three? In the election just gone down wh ...more
Kling is a Libertarian and it shows. To be fair, he is up front about it, but it would be clear without the confession. Let's start with his glaring inclusion of Libertarian as one of the three major political groupings in the U.S. Three? In the election just gone down wh ...more
The Three Languages of PoliticsArnold Klingits wonderful book ,simple for every one interested in politic .
You should read this short book/ long essay if you have ever participated in, or ever will participate in, a political argument.
Kling breaks down the language of political arguments into three pairings of preferred / not preferred values. According to Kling, progressive arguments emphasize oppressed / oppressor; conservative arguments emphasize civilization / barbarism; and libertarian arguments emphasize freedom / coercion. Kling refers to each of these pairings as an "axis." These axes serve ...more
Kling breaks down the language of political arguments into three pairings of preferred / not preferred values. According to Kling, progressive arguments emphasize oppressed / oppressor; conservative arguments emphasize civilization / barbarism; and libertarian arguments emphasize freedom / coercion. Kling refers to each of these pairings as an "axis." These axes serve ...more
Arnold Kling is a Cato Institute Adjunct Scholar, a Mercatus Center affiliate, and regularly posts to his askblog site. His book: The Three Languages of Politics is a short essay and analysis of political speech in the United States.
Kling identifies three ideological groups and their dominant dichotomies. Progressives divide issues along an oppressor–oppressed axis. Conservatives use a civilized–barbarous axis. And libertarians, Kling’s camp, use a freedom–coercive axis.
He goes on to say that in ...more
Kling identifies three ideological groups and their dominant dichotomies. Progressives divide issues along an oppressor–oppressed axis. Conservatives use a civilized–barbarous axis. And libertarians, Kling’s camp, use a freedom–coercive axis.
He goes on to say that in ...more
What if the people we disagree with politically are real human beings? What if they're not just total idiots? Kling describes three axes of political tendencies -- progressive, conservative, libertarian -- and presents the motivations behind each one, getting the reader to empathize instead of dismiss. And from that, perhaps, engage in productive and compassionate discussion.
This is a short but powerful booklet. No matter who you are, where you stand on the spectrum, or how compassionate (or not ...more
This is a short but powerful booklet. No matter who you are, where you stand on the spectrum, or how compassionate (or not ...more
The three axes rang true to me as soon as I heard about this ebook, and it also appealed to me that the author considers libertarianism to be a totally separate ideology from progressivism and conservatism (as I do). It did turn out to be somewhat lacking in depth and detail, because it's so short. But it still has gotten me thinking, and I'll be telling people about it. I hope that in the long run my political discourse skills will improve for having read it. Also check out the EconTalk podcast
...more
Short read about the three languages used by progressives, conservatives and libertarians.
According to Kling, progressives speak in terms of the oppressed and the oppressors whereas conservatives speak of civilization/barbarism and libertarians speak of freedom/coercion. Kling hopes that understanding the language of the other tribe will make political arguments more productive. For a similar (but more ambitious) idea, see Joshua Greene's proposal for a 'moral common currency' in his book 'Mora ...more
According to Kling, progressives speak in terms of the oppressed and the oppressors whereas conservatives speak of civilization/barbarism and libertarians speak of freedom/coercion. Kling hopes that understanding the language of the other tribe will make political arguments more productive. For a similar (but more ambitious) idea, see Joshua Greene's proposal for a 'moral common currency' in his book 'Mora ...more
This is an excellent book that looks at how people with different political views weigh different explanations.
Kling divides people interested in politics into Progressives, who look at the world in terms of oppressors and the oppressed, Conservatives who see the world as being divided between barbarism and Libertarians who see the world as being either free or forced.
While Kling's division of where people stand may not apply everywhere his arguments about closely examining things that support ...more
Kling divides people interested in politics into Progressives, who look at the world in terms of oppressors and the oppressed, Conservatives who see the world as being divided between barbarism and Libertarians who see the world as being either free or forced.
While Kling's division of where people stand may not apply everywhere his arguments about closely examining things that support ...more
Sep 23, 2014
Eve
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people writing research papers/worried about "fake news", sociologists, linguists, politicians
When I told someone that I read this book they were impressed. really though, this is the kind of shit that turns me on mentally, so it's like I read the entire damn book without realizing that I did (even though it was over the course of 2 months). Um, basically it says that we all have ways of framing relations of individuals & society that produce biases of opinions.
Essentially, liberals worry about oppression, conservatives worry about barbarism (believe civilization/institutions are th ...more
Essentially, liberals worry about oppression, conservatives worry about barbarism (believe civilization/institutions are th ...more
A quick fifty page essay discussing the three ways that political tribes frame problems. Conservatives: barbarism vs. civilization. Progressives: oppressed vs. oppressor. Libertarian: Freedom vs. Control.
The author, a libertarian, seeks ought a way for the three camps to hear each other and work together to find the best solutions. If we can't even communicate, how can we cooperate. He gave examples of where each line of thinking may be superior, depending on the situation. The liberal viewpoin ...more
The author, a libertarian, seeks ought a way for the three camps to hear each other and work together to find the best solutions. If we can't even communicate, how can we cooperate. He gave examples of where each line of thinking may be superior, depending on the situation. The liberal viewpoin ...more
"The only person you are qualified to pronounce unreasonable is yourself."
As long as progressives, conservatives, and libertarians continue to refuse to understand each other's point of view, political discussion will continue to become more polarized. This book is a very quick read that advocates learning the language of someone else's political heuristic so that, even if you aren't convinced s/he is right, you will be able to understanding the reasoning behind her/his point of view. Which is a ...more
As long as progressives, conservatives, and libertarians continue to refuse to understand each other's point of view, political discussion will continue to become more polarized. This book is a very quick read that advocates learning the language of someone else's political heuristic so that, even if you aren't convinced s/he is right, you will be able to understanding the reasoning behind her/his point of view. Which is a ...more
Very short, and a bit US-centric (which is alright, just makes it a bit hard to "translate" into non-american terms), but an easy read, with a fair-minded voice. Not by any means a revelation, but a fine reminder that most of us really want "good". We disagree a bit on what "good" is and how to achieve it, but people rarely have their views because they are evil and/or delusional. (Ok, maybe a little delusional on and off. Everyone's doing it. Heh.)
It's not science, but I still found it describ ...more
It's not science, but I still found it describ ...more
Greatly enjoyed this book. The thesis is simple and clear, and the entire essay can be read in less than two hours. Those who would benefit the most from reading it are likely those who are the least likely to read it, so recommending it to friends must be done carefully. So far, I have only referred it to friends who have a genuine interest in mutual ideological understanding in politics. Those who I think would benefit the most would likely view my advice to read it as an insult. This is a sha
...more
Great and short reading especially in this turbulent political times. The author explains how political views can be grouped in three different paths and it makes a lot of sense.
Libertarians see the world as freedom Vs coercion
Progressives see the world as oppressed Vs oppressor
Conservatives see the world as civilization Vs barbarism
Realizing these differences is the first step to understand the others, regardless of whether we agree or not, and will make it a lot easier to do and talk politics.
Libertarians see the world as freedom Vs coercion
Progressives see the world as oppressed Vs oppressor
Conservatives see the world as civilization Vs barbarism
Realizing these differences is the first step to understand the others, regardless of whether we agree or not, and will make it a lot easier to do and talk politics.
Dec 27, 2013
Jon Gauthier
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
citizens of any state
Recommended to Jon by:
EconTalk
Kling presents a "three-axis model" which chains modern political discourse, restricting the various political "tribes" from having real constructive discussion. Actively detach yourself from the axis on which your System 1 lounges, he suggests, and you'll be able to better understand the arguments of those who oppose you (and avoid engaging in the self-reinforcing rhetoric of the tribe you might associate with for any given issue).
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American economist, scholar, and blogger. He is an Adjunct Scholar for the Cato Institute and a member of the Financial Markets Working Group at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He teaches statistics and economics at the Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville, Maryland.
Kling received his Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980. He was an economist on t ...more
More about Arnold Kling...
Kling received his Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980. He was an economist on t ...more
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“Americans today, ideology has become a powerful marker of identity. Ps, Cs, and Ls are now rivalrous, hostile tribes. As such, they have developed linguistic differences and negative stereotypes of one another, which the three-axis model can help to articulate. Within a tribe, political language is used to reassure others of one's loyalty to the tribe, to lift one's status within the tribe, and to whip up hostility against other tribes.”
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