William A. Galston - Anger, Fear, Domination (Columbia University Press, 2025) ****

This is without a doubt one of the most interesting books I read about politics recently and possibly also the shortest. Despite its spectacular - and somewhat cheap - cover and title, the content is actually very scientific and deep. William Galston is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. 

He gives an overview on the emotions that drive human behaviour, and voting more specifically, highlighting that rationality and facts are less important factors. Galston posits that in threatening times, passions such as fear, humiliation, and resentment are more reliable motivators for voting or violence than empathy or solidarity. 

We are of course aware that Russia, Hungary and the Czech Republic used this rethoric to strengthen their grip on the populace, but increasingly the same tactics find their way into the political speech and speeches of the West, with Donald Trump and his administration being the best example of this. He compares this rhethoric to the speeches of FDR, Obama and other democratic leaders, who tried - or try? - to create a common future vision based on trust and facts, which are of course the first victims today:

"The truncation of trust in our time coincides with the dimin­ished role of persuasion through logic and evidence. Partisan polarization is part of the reason: to the extent that partisan affiliation shapes citizens' views, the space for persuasion narrows. Also at work is the much-discussed splitting of Americans into different epistemic communities with distinctive beliefs about what is true and false. Absent shared frames of reference and a commonly acknowledged pool of facts among citizens, rational persuasion collapses. The pathologies of our time - the selective suppression of information, the deliberate creation of conspiracy theories, the dissemination of outright lies - make a bad situa­tion worse. We are relearning the sad lesson of the years between the two world wars: no matter the truth of the claim, repetition can be the mother of persuasion." (p. 114)

This also means that we need to take public sentiment seriously by addressing the genuine concerns people face, as well as the fears they carry. 

In my view, it has become increasingly rare to find politicians who can articulate the bigger picture—leaders who draw on evidence to present a compelling vision of the future, grounded in collaboration, shared values, respect, and the creation of lasting value. It is far easier to appeal to our baser instincts: to frame politics as "us versus them," to fuel anger and distrust, and to exploit territorialism and discrimination.

Galston writes with remarkable clarity, developing his arguments in a way that is both accessible and intellectually rigorous. His analysis is well substantiated, thoughtful, and ultimately wise.

Highly recommended!