In his new book, Politics Is for Power, Tufts University professor Eitan Hersh makes a provocative argument: Watching cable news, obsessing over the latest scandal—even voting only in presidential elections—is political hobbyism. Instead of engaging with politics as a civic duty, or as a means to change our communities, he says, we treat it like a sport—tune in, do little, rinse, repeat. Here, Hersh offers some ideas on how to break out of passive politics, and spring into action. Instead of thinking of politics like a hobby or a sport, how should we think of it? When I think about people doing politics, I think about people working with other people on goals or strategies to influence the government. Maybe they want to get some of their neighbors to vote a certain way or they want to lobby a politician. Most people aren’t going to do politics like that; they don’t have time. But what’s happening is there This story is from Kinfolk Issue Thirty-Seven Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 29 Day in the Life: Shirin Neshat Charles Shafaieh pays a visit to the home of one of New York’s most widely recognized artists. Arts & Culture Issue 29 The Evolution of Self-Care How did the conversation about self-care shift from society's radical margins into the indulgences of an individualized mainstream? Arts & Culture Issue 45 Yoga with Adriene The internet’s best friend is—finally—finding her own flow. Arts & Culture Garden Issue 45 Piet Oudolf The Dutch designer bringing life—and death—to traditional gardens. Arts & Culture Issue 45 Thomas MacDonell The conservationist transforming the Highlands. Arts & Culture Design Issue 45 The New Craftsmen From the Outer Hebrides to central London, Catherine Lock is celebrating the crafts heritage of Great Britain.
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