The Political Mind

Explores how contemporary developments in political theory and neuropsychology can be used to explore the political implication of the relationship between conscious and nonconscious thought. What does it mean to 'think differently'? What are the conditions under which original thought can take place and what are the obstacles to it? The ability to create thoughts is what lies at the base of philosophy and political theory and practice. One cannot hope to change the world, or even adequately critique it, without the possibility of the new in mental life. The Political Mind seeks to explore the possibility of thinking differently through connecting neuropsychological material on consciousness, nonconsciousness and affect to political theory. It spans many diverse disciplines: from hard-edged neuropsychology to sociology, economics, political theory and Eastern and Western philosophy. Its originality lies in its ability to draw meaningful connections between such disparate literatures, weaving a coherent whole. It then applies the concepts created to the currently popular topics of consumerism and the anti-capitalist and anti-globalisation movements.