Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You Paperback – December 10, 2022

The book for today.This is an amazing and unique book. (Yeah, I know how you feel about the word "unique," but trust me.) I don't even know how these two even met, much less came to write a book together. But they are the perfect authors for our time. One is a clinical psychologist, the other a former Mayor of Phoenix, who got elected when he was 29.Together they talk about the power of addictive ideologies, like Nazi Germany and the OathKeepers, and QAnon, and how they highjack the amygdala (the primitive part of the brain) of people who are fearful because they are being left out. This has happened throughout history.But the really cool part is that they also talk about how we have to help these people regain agency and optimism so they can be part of America instead of trying to destroy it.How do we do that? By steering away from political parties (Johnson suggests registering as Other), who are only interested in their own survival and not in you. Among other changes to the electoral process, the authors suggest open primaries. Most of all they talk about how to lead life: "demand inspiration, not demonization, love not hate, the light rather than darkness."You will have to read the book to find out how this reflects the will of the Founders and the Constitution, so that no matter whether you are conservative or liberal you can adopt the authors' citizenship tools and use them going forward.The best thing about this book is the different perspectives of the authors, male and female, politician and social scientist.

This book is a must read for all who are seeking ways to promote civil discourse and promoted a greater sense of unity in our country. This book provides the reader with a clear understanding of why our nation is so divided today and the dangers posed to the traditional values that made our country great. Dr. Bashah and Mr. Johnson help us understand the dangers of not listening to people with whom we disagree, inability to empathize with people holding a different point of view, and politicians placing their power over the health of the nation.-Ben Click; retired Dallas, Texas Chief of Police

The damning view of ideology and its impact on society is fascinating, through the Ba’ath party holocaust and a page turner.. But the advice from a PHD in psychology and a student of history and human nature from a past American mayor was invaluable.I had heard these two on the Optimistic American Podcast and they were terrific. The book is even better. Definitely worth the buy.

This wonderful book helps you see and understand addictive ideologies both micro to ones personal relationships and macro to society. It is a timely and thought-provoking journey through history. Like Johnson's podcast the Optimistic American, Johnson and Bashah give us a hopeful and new way of looking at the media and society. Great read!

When I look around at today’s polarized politics and the vitriol of debate, I ask myself, “How did we get here and how much worse can it get?” This book offers answers to both questions. Through real life stories of the genocide in Iran and a psychological analysis of its underpinnings, Dr. Emily Bashaw shows us the lure of tribalism and how easily it can be used to justify atrocities. As she astutely points out, atrocities of the past did not result from the leadership of just one person or even one government. They resulted from divided societies where each side believed it was "right" and therefore justified in attacking the other. They resulted from social conflicts much like those we are experiencing today in the US and around the world. But as Paul Johnson points out, our current divisions do not need to devolve into the atrocities of the past if we, as individuals, acknowledge our part in the situation and exercise our own agency to prevent it from devolving. This book should be a mandatory read for any politician, leader, or individual who truly wants to protect our democracy.

Emily Bashah pulls the reader in immediately in the Forward The Dance. I could see the dancer and feel movements.I have not finished the book yet but I find it very intriguing and feel it is definitely a book written to help us understand this turbulent time we are in politically as well as how to navigate and to establish our agency.

A book for those who want to improve their lives and the lives those around them. The past and present are uniquely interwoven to produce a work that provides real world examples of how easily an ideation can turn into tragedy.

Paul Johnson and Emily Bashah masterfully describe the affects of addictive ideologies, politics, nationalism, and cancel culture. I learned a lot and I think I am on my path to reclaim my sense of agency. So much of the news I watch is negative and I feel like I am drowning in it sometimes. I have a new way of looking at the media now. I also loved how they connected this to their podcast, The Optimistic American, to go more in depth.