With just weeks until the critical 2020 presidential election, the Amram Scholar Series presents Tufts University political scientist Eitan Hersh, whose new book, Politics Is for Power, urges us to stop treating politics like a spectator sport, and instead become effectively engaged in action. His Zoom lecture will offer cutting-edge social science as well as remarkable stories of ordinary citizens to show us how to channel our energy away from political hobbyism and toward empowering our values. It is an inspiring and urgent call to arms for the many well-meaning, well-informed citizens who avidly follow political news but do not take political action.

“Do you consider yourself politically engaged?” he asks. “Probably, yes! But are you, really?” Hersh continues, “The uncomfortable truth is that most of us have good intentions. We vote (sometimes) and occasionally sign a petition or attend a rally. But we mainly ‘engage’ by consuming politics as if it’s entertainment.” Rather, “we could be accumulating power so that when there are opportunities to make a difference—to lobby, to advocate, to mobilize—we will be ready.”

The author of Hacking the Electorate: How Campaigns Perceive Voters and articles in major political science journals, Professor Hersh previously taught political science at Yale University and was a resident fellow of the Institution for Social and Policy Studies.

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Presented in partnership with the Jewish Book Council.