This book is an attempt to establish a rational political position by looking at the psychology of politics and trying to discern the factors that make many people one-sided in their thinking, resulting in seemingly incompatible political views. Psychologists speak of 'critical periods' or 'sensitive periods' of development, during which certain skills must be developed, and will be difficult, though not impossible to develop later on in life. The author shows that experiences during the critical period of development, or often a lack of certain types of experiences during the critical period, can cause a need to preserve a surrounding in which the individual feels comfortable, often coupled with blind spots due to the fact that we often try to avoid in our thoughts subjects that make us feel uncomfortable. It is only by becoming aware of these anxieties, inhibitions, and blind spots that we may develop a habit of always looking for the whole truth before arriving at a conclusion as to how society will work best for all its members.
Often the vulnerabilities of his group relative to other groups may be more important to an individual in determining what political viewpoint he will accept because of his need to preserve an 'umbrella' under which he feels comfortable, that umbrella consisting of other members of his group whose thinking is close enough to his that he feels accepted.
Anger often leading to aggression can result when different groups who have a need to preserve different types of stimulus surroundings come into conflict because their goals are somewhat incompatible, and each group has blind spots in their thinking which make rational negotiations virtually impossible.
To explain why certain partisan beliefs are so prevalent in our society, the author shows how experiences during the early critical period of our development might be different for different ethnic groups, classes, or races in our society. We might predict that ideologies can actually be geared to people from one type of background as opposed to other groups with different needs, and it will even be discussed how some political manipulators can consciously formulate a propaganda line geared to the needs of a particular class, ethnic group, or race in our society.
Finally, a discussion will attempt to help us reach goals which all members of society can live with, the hope being that a rational, non-partisan approach can one day be adopted and eventually be accepted by everyone.
