The Art of Political Storytelling: Why Stories Win Votes in Post-truth Politics

Description

Now in paperback and with a new Afterword offering insights into the events of 2020 and early 2021, including the pandemic, global protests, racial justice debates and the US presidential election, this book provides an original and compelling way of understanding the chaotic world of today's politics. In our post-truth world, tapping into people's emotions has proved far more effective than rational argument - and, as Seargeant argues, the most powerful tool for manipulating emotions is a gripping narrative. From Trump's America to Brexit Britain, weaving a good story, featuring fearless protagonists, challenging quests against seemingly insurmountable odds, and soundbite after soundbite of memorable dialogue has been at the heart of political success. So does an understanding of the art of storytelling help explain today's successful political movements? Can it translate into a blueprint for victory at the ballot box? The Art of Political Storytelling looks at how stories are created, shared and contested, illuminating the pivotal role that persuasive storytelling plays in shaping our understanding of the political world we live in. By mastering the tools and tricks of narrative, and evaluating the language and rhetorical strategies used to craft and enact them, Seargeant explains how and why today's combination of new media, populism and partisanship makes storytelling an ever more important part of the persuasive and political process.

Philip Seargeant is an author and academic specialising in the study of language and communication. He teaches at the Open University, UK, where his research focuses on the relationships between language, politics and social media. He is the author of several award-winning educational films, and frequently works as a consultant for the BBC and other media outlets. His writing has appeared in publications such as The New European, Prospect, The Huffington Post and Wired.

Interesting and readable, this survey of the political storyteller's toolbox goes a long way to account for the recent successes of provocative populist leaders around the world and makes an enlightening guide to our current political moment ... 4 stars (of the hardback edition). * The Herald * A brilliant deconstruction of propaganda and how it co-opts dramatic and narrative technique, throwing into doubt truth, fact and identity (of the hardback edition). * Irish Times * Everybody with at least a fleeting interest in politics must read this book (of the hardback edition). * LSE Review of Books * The biggest strength of this book is the various examples analyzed within the overarching topic of storytelling and fake news ... The book also draws upon traditional literary theories to interpret current political trends, which offers a compelling theoretical attempt that deserves critical attention from fellow researchers in critical discourse studies ... An enjoyable text for whoever seeks to explore the troubling subject of post-truth politics (of the hardback edition). * LINGUIST List * In the first place there has to be a monster, a seemingly unbeatable foe that sweeps all before it and brutalises the citizens. And then of course, you need a hero, a leader, a figurehead for a rebel alliance fighting to reclaim paradise for the people. Is this Star Wars or just everyday politics? There is actually no great distinction, although there may be fewer Wookies in science fiction. This is the central and entirely correct contention of Philip Seargeant's The Art of Political Storytelling, an examination of how politicians win hearts by weaving narratives around themselves (of the hardback edition). * Robert Shrimsley, the Financial Times' chief UK political commentator * Philip Seargeant's utterly original and fascinating book provides a unique perspective on our current "post-truth" predicament. What to do when you realize that some (or even most) people are persuaded not by arguments but by stories? And what if some of those stories aren't true? The importance of narrative in political discourse is brilliantly illuminated. Read it and lament, read it and understand, or read it to learn how to win an election! (of the hardback edition). * Lee McIntyre, Author of 'Post-Truth' (MIT 2018) and Research Fellow, Center for Philosophy and History of Science, Boston University, USA * Enlightening and entertaining, this book reveals how we have become actors in politicians' stories and how we can take back control of our own destinies (of the hardback edition). * Peter Pomerantsev, Senior Fellow, Institute of Global Affairs, London School of Economics, UK and Research Fellow, Johns Hopkins University, USA * In the current interregnum, this is an important and timely book significantly contributing to our understanding of how storytelling that has long been mastered by political leaders has led to the social orders we experience, embrace, and reject. This book offers valuable pathways for us to tell our own counter-stories (of the hardback edition). * Christian W. Chun, Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA * In this timely and cogent work, Philip Seargeant analyses how politicians construct their narratives and why voters prefer a good tale to verifiable facts. As conspiracy theories thrive and the very meaning of the word truth is called into question, this is an important book for our times (of the hardback edition). * Steve Buckledee, Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics, University of Cagliari, Italy * This is an engaging and timely account of the fundamental role of storytelling in all aspects of political life. Rich with examples, it gives us tools for understanding how stories are crafted, and how they shape our world. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to understand the current political environment (of the hardback edition). * Piia Varis, Associate Professor, Tilburg University, The Netherlands * Seargeant argues that one really cannot fully understand the recent political successes of the Brexit campaign and politicians such as Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro and Viktor Orban, without taking into account how much their ongoing communication resembles the storytelling found in popular culture and in Hollywood films in particular. In some ways, this is a frightening book, but it is one that should be read by anyone interested in how political communication is crafted today (of the hardback edition). * David Block, ICREA Professor in Sociolinguistics, Pompeu Fabra University, Spain * Political storytelling is one of the most persuasive forms of communication with voters. What is most chilling, however, is that it works even if the story isn't true. In this updated edition of his brilliant work The Art of Political Storytelling, Philip Seargeant's insights help us come to terms with the perplexing, frightening, damnable, heartbreaking juggernaut of events that was 2020....and likely beyond (of the New in Paperback edition). * Lee McIntyre, Author of 'Post-Truth' (MIT 2018) and Research Fellow, Center for Philosophy and History of Science, Boston University, USA *