About Politics

About a week ago, I submitted a request to join a group of bloggers who have formed an association of sorts. Since I already frequent some of their blogs and enjoy reading the posts, I assumed there would not be a problem.

Then I was met with a somewhat stand-offish (my perception) response saying that my blog probably would not fit in because most of them are politically oriented blogs, and mine deals with a specific topic that does not have much to do with politics. (eh hem... I already read some of those blogs, and they often deal with subjects completely outside of politics, if you ask me.)

That got me on this thought thread of wondering why would psychology not apply to politics? It most certainly does.

Firstly, politics has become such a joke in America (in my opinion) that it no longer is about who can be the best leader of our country but about who can best manipulate the public into voting for them.

A funny phenomenon occurred over at the Friendly Atheist last week. Hemant posted a story about Elizabeth Dole criticizing her opponent Kay Hagan for attending a fundraiser held by an atheist group. Then something amazing happened. The anger and fury by the regulars on the site raised $1620 in just two days (contributions to the Hagan campaign), along with numerous angry letters to Dole. I don't think this could have happened if Kay Hagan herself had come to the site begging for contributions, no matter how convincing her plea.

I was watching this activity unfold with awe, and then it dawned on me. Remember I was wondering the other day about what motivates people into action? There was the answer in front of my eyes: Anger. Anger motivates people to act. Fighting against a common enemy is a far greater motivator than fighting for a common cause. And now I'm wondering why?

Oh... you'd better believe it! Psychology definitely plays a big part in politics! Or did you mean that MBTI doesn't fit in with politics? That's a topic for a whole new post.


(Okay... There you have it. A post about politics. Now can I join?) (just kidding!) :-)
It's just that "you don't quite fit in" strikes a very touchy chord with me... I think David Rees would understand.