5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must read' for those interested in how political minds work!

M.T. · 2 April 2025

This is a fascinating and very insightful read! I've evaluated quite a number of parliamentary programmes and a lot of the content of this book resonates really strongly with me. For example, building reform from the inside, the importance of getting the small things right and developing and expanding islands of excellence. I think the analysis of the differences between 'what the rules say' and 'what the rules mean' is really good and I love the way the book talks about the importance of balancing short term personal political objectives with longer term organisational ones and how that might be done. Lots of other really good stuff in the book as well!

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and entertaining insights into the murky world of political reform...

L.P. · 27 February 2025

Drawing from his insider’s perspective, Greg Power’s book provides fascinating, useful and entertaining insights into the murky world of political reform, drawing both on domestic and international examples of success and failure. Understanding and working with the motivations and incentives of political actors which, it transpires, are often much more complex than might appear, is key to shaping and strengthening political institutions that work both for those political actors and for the citizenry more widely. Much is written in the development literature about ‘thinking and working’ politically, and this is a rare book that exemplifies what this looks like in practice. However, and as the author is at pains to point out, there are no blueprints for success. Indeed, such ‘grand schemes’ (and development projects) are shown to have failed over and over. A recommended read for anyone with a passing interest in the topic…and a must read for anyone working on it. (Jason Potter).

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I've ever read on Political Development

T.F. · 12 May 2024

A fascinating and inspiring reflection on years spent working to strengthen democratic institutions. There's a deep understanding and appropriate respect for politicians here. The author doesn't duck the difficult issues or dodge instances of failure but still manages to make the case for democratic capacity building and set out a number of ways to do it better.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone wanting to understand how politicians work

H.J. · 15 March 2024

It's not really the done thing to consider politicians as humans. But if you want to figure out what makes them tick and how to make politics better, it's essential to understand and empathise with their realities. Greg has such an incredible, unique view into the lives of politicians around the world, in contexts far removed from Western understanding. This book is accessible, fascinating, funny and surprising. Expect to re-assess your assumptions page after page!

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating insight into the minds of politicians across the world

A.C. · 25 April 2024

Greg Power's Inside the Political Mind, based on work with politicians across 60 countries, is riveting reading. His relaxed storytelling style about why politicians act as they do leads to practical suggestions about how to make change happen, and means that you don't realise how much you've learned until you get to the end.

5.0 out of 5 stars Politicians are how politics happens

E.S. · 2 January 2025

This wide ranging survey, drawing on experience in many countries, gives the best description I have encountered of the way in which politics is driven by the human factors which drive politicians themselves, and which so often frustrate high minded attempts at institutional reform.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight into how what actually motivates politicians

R.C. · 17 June 2024

This is a super book. Well written, entertaining and important. It provides a wonderful insight into what actually motivates ordinary politicians around the world and the huge constraints that they face. But better still, it provides some really nice examples of how politicians 'think and work politically' to achieve change that fits with the political system in their context and which therefore sticks.

5.0 out of 5 stars Why understanding politicians is important to development

M. · 9 May 2024

Too often in developing democracies, international organisations and donors set unrealistic expectations for political change. A tendency to ignore the political context and human behaviour leads to frustrations on all sides. Greg Power tells the stories of many people, politicians and parliamentary staff, working in difficult circumstances with a determination to achieve change. The valuable insights into their actions should prompt different conversations about how to achieve change. Taking the politics out of politics isn't going to work. Small incremental changes working with local politicians can be the start of significant developments. A book for all those wishing to see change in politics around the world.