 ‘Voting is irrational. Emotions always win.’ (Eyal Winter) Yesterday, I had a conversation with Alicia, a young German student with an interest in psychology. We reflected on current world events, including the resurgence of Donald Trump in the U.S. and the unfolding German election results. One question puzzled us: Why do so many people support political leaders and parties whose policies and behaviour seem irrational? Take Trump, for example. His use of ‘alternative facts’ doesn’t seem to shake his supporters' confidence. Similarly, politicians on the far left or right offer simplistic solutions to complex problems, yet their followers remain unwavering. Meanwhile, centrist politicians who present nuanced arguments in measured tones often struggle to gain traction. Instead of persuading people, they are met with boredom or disdain. Why is that? Here’s a thought: Many people today feel hopeless when they look at the state of the world and the challenges in their own lives too. Traditional politicians speak to the mind with carefully-crafted words, yet those who feel lost or frustrated are voting from the heart. Perhaps it’s not about what populist leaders think or say. It’s about how they make people feel.
18 Comments
Daz Chapman
24/2/2025 04:52:40 pm
"Make America Think Again!" That woman deserves a medal!
Nick Wright
24/2/2025 05:31:31 pm
Hi Daz. Yes, that photo made me smile..! :)
Jennie Robson
24/2/2025 04:57:14 pm
Hi Nick. Your reflections in this blog align with research in behavioral economics and political psychology. Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow explains how people often rely on System 1 thinking: quick, emotional and instinctive rather than System 2 which is slow and rational. Populist leaders intuitively tap into this by triggering emotional responses, whether through fear, nostalgia or anger. Eyal Winter’s assertion that "emotions always win" is backed by studies in motivated reasoning. Research shows that when people identify with a leader or ideology, they filter new information to protect their beliefs. This explains why fact-checking or rational arguments rarely sway deeply committed voters. In short, people don’t vote for policies; they vote for belonging, identity and emotional validation.
Nick Wright
24/2/2025 05:34:30 pm
Hi Jennie. Thanks for the thoughtful reflections. I hadn't made that connection with Daniel Kahneman's model so thank you for sharing that. On the whole, 'People don’t vote for policies; they vote for belonging, identity and emotional validation.' That's a great insight - and I agree.
Fathiyeh Gomez
24/2/2025 05:02:17 pm
Great blog Nick! Your discussion of emotional voting with Alicia also ties into the way media, particularly digital platforms, shape political behavior. Studies show that social media algorithms prioritize outrage and sensationalism because they drive engagement. This gives populist leaders an edge as their rhetoric is designed to provoke strong reactions.
Nick Wright
24/2/2025 05:36:39 pm
Thank you, Fathiyeh. I found your reflections on social media very interesting and helpful. 'Can centrist leaders learn to inspire and connect emotionally while maintaining intellectual integrity?' In the current climate, that may be far easier said than done.
Chris McMahon
24/2/2025 05:06:22 pm
Nick, your insights here remind me of the deeper moral and ethical questions surrounding democracy. If voting is driven by emotion rather than reason, what does that mean for the pursuit of truth and justice? From a faith perspective, this raises concerns about how leaders shape not just policies but the moral fabric of society. In the Christian tradition, leaders are called to serve with wisdom and humility (Proverbs 11:14). Yet, in today’s politics, those who exhibit these qualities often struggle against those who wield fear and division as tools. Perhaps the challenge is not just political but spiritual. How do we cultivate discernment and a hunger for truth in an age of emotional manipulation?
Nick Wright
24/2/2025 05:44:05 pm
Hi Chris. Yes, some of the actions and dynamics we see at play in the political arena today tear at the spiritual foundations of people and a society - and between people and societies across the world. I've been privileged in Germany recently to meet with fellow followers of Jesus each week to pray for peace in the world, and for the outcome of the German general election. It feels to me now like prayer matters more than ever. (https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/prayers-for-peace)
Hans Finkelstein
24/2/2025 05:11:04 pm
Hallo Nick. The patterns you describe are not new. Historian Timothy Snyder (On Tyranny) and political theorist Jan-Werner Müller (What is Populism?) have documented how populist leaders throughout history have thrived by offering simple, emotionally charged narratives. When economic uncertainty, social change or political gridlock leaves people feeling powerless, they gravitate toward leaders who promise certainty and control, even if the promises are unrealistic. This is particularly relevant today. Across democracies, voter frustration with traditional parties is fuelling the rise of extreme candidates. In Germany, the AfD's surge reflects dissatisfaction with the establishment, much like Trump’s continued appeal in the U.S. When the world feels unstable, people don’t necessarily seek detailed policies. They seek leaders who feel strong, decisive and aligned with their fears and hopes.
Nick Wright
24/2/2025 05:46:33 pm
Hi Hans. Yes, that is sad and true. Hitler and the Nazis is one of the most stark examples in recent history. We need to work hard to ensure that the same conditions don't re-arise in which groups like the Nazis appear to offer 'salvation'.
James Abbott
24/2/2025 07:04:13 pm
Spot on Nick. 👍
Nick Wright
24/2/2025 07:48:39 pm
Thanks James.
Lee Than
24/2/2025 09:55:29 pm
People are bored with centrist politics because centrists always seem to feel that there is moral superiority inherent in their position, that moderation and compromise are always better than taking a more radical stance. So when people say 'centrists they don’t merely mean 'political moderates'. They mean the sort of utterly uninspired, lazy fence-sitters who believe that in any conflict, the correct answer must lie somewhere in the middle.
Nick Wright
24/2/2025 10:14:01 pm
Hi Lee and thank you for sharing such fascinating insights. I found your distinction between 'centrists' and 'political moderates' very helpful.
Mark Henderson
24/2/2025 10:26:38 pm
Hi Nick. Great food for thought. I like this quote: "It is true that when people are faced with a decision, the more information they have about that decision, the better they are able to make that decision. But elections aren't simple decisions like that. Elections are complicated strategic relationships between politicians and voters." (Ethan Bueno de Mesquita) It means voters vote for a person if they believe, at some level, they have a "relationship" with that person and not just their policies. If they feel heard and their concerns represented by a politician, they feel a kind of relational connection to that politician (even though they've never met them) which is different to a transactional vote for a policy.
Nick Wright
24/2/2025 10:30:03 pm
Thank you, Mark. I found that quotation - and that way of understanding what can feel like a *relationship* between a politician and their voters - incredibly interesting and thought-provoking too! Thank you for sharing it.
Roger Turvey
25/2/2025 07:05:10 am
Hi Nick. Populist leaders are an echo chamber. They tap into people's hopes and fears, amplify them then reflect them back to people. That means people hear the echo of their own voices and feelings in the voice of the populist politician. That's what makes them 'popular'.
Nick Wright
25/2/2025 07:13:19 am
Hi Roger. Thank you for such a succinct reflection on the dynamics of populism. I found that interesting and helpful. It resonates, for me, with insights from leadership and followership more broadly. For instance, people are more likely to support a leader if they feel heard and understood by that leader, even if they don't agree with all the details of that leader's policies or actions. I imagine a similar principle applies to political parties too. Centrist-conventional politicians are often regarded as 'out of touch with ordinary people'. They may believe sincerely in their own policies - and, at times, their policies may be sound - but, if they don't resonate with people they hope will follow, they're unlikely to gain interest or traction. Leave a Reply. |
Nick WrightI'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? Get in touch! 
Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
|
RSS Feed