Human nature in politics

Author: [British] Graham Wallas
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1996-08-01
Features: Graham Wallas, a British political scientist and educator, advocated the use of experimental research to study human behavior. Born in Sandland in 1858 and died in 1932. He studied at Oxford University from 1877 to 1881 and later taught at the same university. From 1890 onwards, he successively served as a university public lecturer, a lecturer at the London School of Economics, a member of the Royal Administrative Affairs Committee, a professor of political science at the University of London, and a lecturer at the Lowell Lectures at Boston University. Wallas participated in the Fabian Society from 1886 to 1904 and became one of its leaders and an important theorist in the British Fabian movement, later withdrawing due to policy disagreements. His main works include: The Fabian Tracts, The Life of Francis Place, Man in Politics, The Great Society, The Traditions of Our Society, and The Art of Thought. Among these, Man in Politics and its companion work The Great Society are considered classic works of modern political theory. This book is a work of political psychology. The author uses his experience and insights gained from political practice, combined with research findings in psychology, to explain democratic issues. The author argues that in practical politics, the political behavior of the majority of people is irrational, based on instincts and emotions. Therefore, human nature should be composed of both rational and irrational elements.