Thinking Points Communicating Our American Values and Vision

Two years ago George Lakoff published the bestsellingDon't Think of an Elephant!Its account of the conservative monopoly on effective framing touched off a national discussion about political language. It also gave rise to a chorus of pleas for more: * What is the progressive vision of America; * Why progressive values are America's values; * How frames are necessary to serve the truth; * Why sloganeering alone doesn't work; * How progressives trap themselves and how they can escape those traps; and * How political arguments and narratives can be put together to counter the Right. Thinking Pointssatisfies that call with a bold, concise, and systematic explanation of how conservatives think and use languageand how progressives can fight back . Lakoff and the Rockridge Institute offer a new understanding of the so-called political center and explain why the most effective way to appeal to those who identify themselves as moderates or conservatives is to remain true to progressive values. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to participate in shaping an America that serves the common good. George Lakoff is a professor of linguistics and cognitive science at the University of California, Berkeley, and a founder of the Rockridge Institute. He is the author ofWhose Freedom?,Don't Think of an Elephant!, andMoral Politics, as well as seminal books in linguistics, includingMetaphors We Live By(with Mark Johnson). The Rockridge Instituteis a team of scholars and researchers committed to American progressive ideals. It provides intellectual support to the progressive community, partnering with advocates, activists, and policy professionals to articulate the system of American values and ideas and reframe public debate. For more information about the Rockridge Institute, visit www.rockridgeinstitute.org . Thinking Pointsprovides a systematic explanation of how conservatives think and use languageand how progressives can create a long-term strategy for returning America to its progressive ideals. With the assistance of the Rockridge Institute, Lakoff offers a new understanding of the so-called political center and explains why the most effective way to appeal to those who identify themselves as moderates or conservatives is to remain true to core progressive values. "Professor Lakoff's expertise has been invaluable in articulating the ACLU's core values-fundamentally American values-to a broad and politically-diverse audience."Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director, ACLU "George Lakoff serves progressives well by explaining how language and moral framing equals power in politics. Thinking Pointshelps leaders and activists alike to turn this knowledge into a compelling vision for society."John Podesta, CEO and President, Center for American Progress "George Lakoff serves progressives well by explaining how language and moral framing equals power in politics. Thinking Pointshelps leaders and activists alike to turn this knowledge into a compelling vision for society."John Podesta, CEO and President, Center for American Progress "InThinking Points,George Lakoff and the Rockridge Institute show how Progressives can stop appealing to some hypothetical "middle" and instead appeal to the deep morality that the vast majority of Americans share. When we speak from our hearts, the integrity of this will speak broadly."Joan Blades, M

George Lakoff is a professor of linguistics and cognitive science at the University of California, Berkeley, and a founder of the Rockridge Institute. He is the author of Whose Freedom?, Don't Think of an Elephant!, and Moral Politics, as well as seminal books in linguistics, including Metaphors We Live By (with Mark Johnson). The Rockridge Institute is a team of scholars and researchers committed to American progressive ideals. It provides intellectual support to the progressive community, partnering with advocates, activists, and policy professionals to articulate the system of American values and ideas and reframe public debate. For more information about the Rockridge Institute, visit www.rockridgeinstitute.org.