Friday, October 01, 2004

Lakoff and the importance of Frames   I am reading a book called “the elephant in the room” by George Lakoff, which was recommended by Kos.  It is fantastic.  Lakoff is a linguist, and he makes the argument that the rightwing has won so many elections because they have been able to frame the discussion in a way that reflects their world view—so that even those who argue against their proposals end up furthering their cause, since like a splinter, they simply drive the argument deeper into the body politic.   Examples of these “frames” are tax relief, “no child left behind”, the "clear skies" initiative, and many other initiatives, where the Orwellian language is carefully chosen for its resonance.    Lakoff has a theory that voters vote their values and identity, and the republicans have been hugely successful in speaking of their values, while the democrats have failed by essentially focusing on policy, hiding their values.   As a result, when they debate republicans, the debate is one sided, because no matter what the policy spin, only one set of values is on the table.   Lakoff identifies the right as having authoritarian, “strict father” values, which highlight responsibility, punishment, and a view that the world is a bad place, a dangerous place, and those who are rich deserve it, and those who have failed deserve to fail.  The left, on the other hand, he characterizes as the nurturing parents, who want their kids to succeed, but recognize they have to let go.  These parents believe in freedom, equality of opportunity, fairness, choice, and safety.    Lakoff’s ideas are like water in a desert.  I am going to try and use some of his methodology as I write about political issues in this blog.  His book is a watershed. 4:51:25 PM   comment []

© Copyright 2004 Toby Sackton. Last update: 11/11/2004; 10:33:55 PM.