Whose Freedom? The Battle Over America's Most Important Idea

George Lakoff, bestselling author of “Don’t Think of an Elephant,” says that liberals have foolishly allowed conservatives to claim ownership of “freedom” — even though the progressive version is the one Americans actually believe in.

– Laura Miller, “Freedom’s Not Just Another Word”

Read the Full Review at Salon.com

I originally intended my conversation with George Lakoff to focus on the immigration debate, following the publication by the Rockridge Institute of a report by Lakoff and Sam Ferguson, “The Framing of Immigration,” in late May. However, as Lakoff quickly proved, the focus and outcome of all debate rests in how one frames that debate. He believes that conservatives have sunk a lot of time and money into framing their issues. In the case of progressives, Lakoff says “a conceptual overhaul” and “reframing” of how to approach and define issues is in order if their message is to be understood. Lakoff’s latest book, Whose Freedom? The Battle Over America’s Most Important Idea, published in June by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, discusses the competing rhetoric used by progressives and conservatives in shaping political discourse.

– Chronogram

“America is at a cusp, at a turning point in its history. The question is, Whose concept of freedom is going to prevail.”

Lakoff shows how progressives can reclaim the political narrative—and, in the process, change our country and our world for the better.

–Arianna Huffington, syndicated columnist and author of Fanatics & Fools: the Game Plan For Winning Back America

If you’re a liberal who has never read Lakoff, you might find this book as revelatory as I and many others found Moral Politics years ago.

– Michael Tomasky, Washington Post Book World

Lakoff offers crucial lessons in how to counter right-wing demagoguery. Essential reading in this neo-Orwellian age of Bush-speak.

–Robert Reich

I learned a lot from Lakoff. You will too.

–George Soros

Few words evoke more emotion or debate in this country than the word, freedom. Our founding fathers intended for it to be that way. And ever since, progressive political leaders have attempted to interpret and employ the concept of freedom and its relevance to American public policy debates. Arguably, President Franklin Roosevelt described it most eloquently and succinctly in his “Four Freedoms” of speech and worship and from want and fear.

George Lakoff’s new book is as enjoyable to read as it is important to understand. It comes at a critical time for our country. Because freedom has always been a progressive concept, it is time for progressives to reclaim the word and its meaning in today’s context. Mr. Lakoff shows us how.

–Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle

In the battle of ideas, George Lakoff is one of the progressive movement’s Five-Star Generals. Here he shows what we must do to take back precious ground lost to the Right—the concept of ‘freedom,’ on which America’s very foundation is built. Read this and arm yourself.

–Robert B. Reich, Professor of Public Policy at University California at Berkeley and former U.S. Secretary of Labor

George Lakoff has made pathbreaking contributions to cognitive science. In Whose Freedom? he uses several of his discoveries and much wisdom to produce a systematic analysis of contemporary society and political thinking. The result is illuminating.

–Antonio Damasio, author of Descartes’ Error, The Feeling of What Happens, and Looking for Spinoza