Do you ever turn away from the news in despair? Do you scroll through social media and come away feeling angry, frustrated and fearful? Have you given up on the idea that a level of sanity might ever be restored to our politics? If so, acclaimed political commentator Rafael Behr has a message for you, and in July 2023 he came to Intelligence Squared to talk about his new book Politics: A Survivor’s Guide: How to Stay Engaged without Getting Enraged. 

In conversation with fellow political journalist Jonathan Freedland, Behr discussed what he sees as the failures at the heart of our democracy. He explored the rise of what he calls ‘Brexit Bolsheviks’ on the Right and ‘grievance miners’ on the Left, and shed light on the phenomenon of ‘outrage inflation’, examining how social media impacts contemporary political discourse. And rather than succumbing to extremes or giving up in despair he urged us to stay engaged in our politics and find a way forward through gradual improvement. 

Praise for Rafael Behr’s Politics: A Survivor’s Guide: How to Stay Engaged without Getting Enraged

‘A wonderful meditation on populism, nationalism, politics and truth.’ – Rory Stewart

‘Passionate, clever, and often very funny.’ – Marina Hyde

‘If you want to understand what turned British politics toxic there is no better guide – or antidote.’ –  David Baddiel

‘A book which is at once hopeful, restorative, universal and true. It feels like political Prozac.’ – Sathnam Sanghera