
Description:
Review
‘Beautifully observed, elegantly written, wry, understated and thoughtful.’
-- Rory Stewart'An intriguing and scholarly work... its key concept is to start with real motivations and behaviour, not something that looks good on paper.'
-- Financial Times'[An] insightful book on behaviour and political reform.'
-- The Guardian‘A fascinating insider’s perspective on geopolitics, global diplomacy, problem solving and conflict resolution―and how radically different it seems viewed from the outside.’
-- Peter Hain, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland‘In lively prose enriched with compelling real-life examples, Power builds a persuasive case ... His insights about what politics look like from the inside rather than the outside point the way forward to better understanding―and better action.’
-- Thomas Carothers, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace'Behavioural meets political science - and what a fascinating and important collision. Greg Power unpacks the deep logic of the personal and political to make sense of the world's strangest, most criticized and most important profession.'
-- David Halpern, author of Inside the Nudge Unit and President of Behavioural Insights Team‘Fun to read and full of amazing stories about the “odd” behaviour of politicians in developing countries. Politicians everywhere and those who try to understand them will enjoy and learn much from this book.’
-- Mushtaq Khan, Professor of Economics, SOAS University of LondonAbout the Author
Greg Power OBE, previously a special adviser to UK Ministers Robin Cook and Peter Hain, has been involved in constitutional and democratic change since the mid-1990s. Since 2005, his organisation, Global Partners Governance Practice, has helped to strengthen political systems in over sixty countries, including Iraq, Malawi, Ukraine and Sudan.
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must read' for those interested in how political minds work!
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...
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Visit the C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd Store
Inside the Political Mind: The Human Side of Politics and How It Shapes Development
AED18740
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United Kingdom
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
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All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
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Visit the C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd Store
Inside the Political Mind: The Human Side of Politics and How It Shapes Development

AED18740
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United Kingdom
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Review
‘Beautifully observed, elegantly written, wry, understated and thoughtful.’
-- Rory Stewart'An intriguing and scholarly work... its key concept is to start with real motivations and behaviour, not something that looks good on paper.'
-- Financial Times'[An] insightful book on behaviour and political reform.'
-- The Guardian‘A fascinating insider’s perspective on geopolitics, global diplomacy, problem solving and conflict resolution―and how radically different it seems viewed from the outside.’
-- Peter Hain, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland‘In lively prose enriched with compelling real-life examples, Power builds a persuasive case ... His insights about what politics look like from the inside rather than the outside point the way forward to better understanding―and better action.’
-- Thomas Carothers, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace'Behavioural meets political science - and what a fascinating and important collision. Greg Power unpacks the deep logic of the personal and political to make sense of the world's strangest, most criticized and most important profession.'
-- David Halpern, author of Inside the Nudge Unit and President of Behavioural Insights Team‘Fun to read and full of amazing stories about the “odd” behaviour of politicians in developing countries. Politicians everywhere and those who try to understand them will enjoy and learn much from this book.’
-- Mushtaq Khan, Professor of Economics, SOAS University of LondonAbout the Author
Greg Power OBE, previously a special adviser to UK Ministers Robin Cook and Peter Hain, has been involved in constitutional and democratic change since the mid-1990s. Since 2005, his organisation, Global Partners Governance Practice, has helped to strengthen political systems in over sixty countries, including Iraq, Malawi, Ukraine and Sudan.
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must read' for those interested in how political minds work!
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...
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
More from this brand
Similar items from “History”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/K1805260510