Daily: What’s in it for me? Why SELF-INTEREST isn’t so bad

Why has self-interest become such a dirty word (or words) in politics? Why do we always assume the worst motives in our opponents? And if voters keep on disappointing progressives by voting against their supposed economic interests, do we need to revise our idea of what self-interest really is? Thomas Prosser, author of What’s In It For Me? Self-Interest And Political Difference explains why we should stop worrying and learn to love the concept of self-interest. 

• “Reflecting on self-interest takes the sting out of politics.”
• “Progressives – unlike conservatives – aren’t so good at recognising the validity of self-interest.”
• “Self-interest isn’t just economic, it’s cultural. That’s where Remainers went wrong on Brexit.”
• “There’s an argument that the 2017 Labour manifesto was the least redistributive ever.”
• “Awareness of self-interest makes us more tolerant.”

Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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