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Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You Paperback – December 10, 2022

by Dr. Emily Bashah (Author), Hon. Paul Johnson (Author)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 53 ratings
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While the news media, politicians, both political parties and conspiracy theory groups are destabilizing America, we often lose sight of how we unwittingly contribute to the hysteria as individuals. In the process, we lose our ability to find optimism, opportunities and meaning. Fortunately, it is still possible to learn from history and to regain one’s agency, self-empowerment and life purpose.

In Addictive Ideologies, Dr. Emily Bashah, a clinical psychologist, and Paul Johnson, entrepreneur and former mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, offer a word of caution. Their belief—that today’s world of runaway identity politics, nationalism and cancel culture is setting the stage for a loss of individual agency and liberty—keenly shows why we can’t take democracy and civility for granted.

Dr. Bashah tells the harrowing story of the persecution of Jews in Iraq by Saddam Hussein and the Ba’ath Party through her family’s own personal experiences. Building on Dr. Bashah’s powerful historical context, Paul Johnson uses his own mayoral experiences to chart a path for the future that can avoid similar atrocities. This book draws upon an understanding of societal divisions and clinical and social psychology to show the real power we have to promote constructive change.

By merging insights from two widely disparate worldviews, Dr. Bashah and Paul Johnson show that genocide isn’t the result of just a few bad men, and tyranny isn’t only caused by one charismatic leader. Both require hundreds of thousands of people to ignore reality, and it’s our responsibility as Americans to stay vigilant so that we can protect our families and loved ones against the myriad dangers of addictive ideology.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    296 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 10, 2022
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.74 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    195695547X
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1956955477
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Emily Bashah is an author and licensed psychologist with a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. An expert witness in criminal, immigration and civil courts, she has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses, as well as first-degree murder.Dr. Bashah was awarded the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Policy Fellowship and served within the American Psychological Association's Public Interest Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C. A frequent expert guest in media, Dr. Bashah clinically specializes in mental illness, personal and collective trauma, addiction and grief and loss, as well as family and relationship dynamics. Emily and Paul's collaboration in life and work marry their combined skills and backgrounds in clinical and forensic psychology, politics and geopolitical issues. They address the problems of addictive ideologies to the self and to society while offering insight and wisdom for healing, growth and transformation. They believe collaborating towards a worthy purpose is essential to unleashing the power of the human spirit.

Hon. Paul E. Johnson Jr. is the host of The Optimistic American podcast, whose goal is to create space in the news media for a positive and hopeful view of America. He has a significant background in business, politics and government, and became the youngest mayor of Phoenix, Arizona at 30 years old. He has managed several state campaigns for presidential candidates and is the CEO and co-founder of Redirect Health.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Legacy Launch Pad Publishing (December 10, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 296 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 195695547X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1956955477
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.74 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 53 ratings

About the authors

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Previous page
  1. Dr. Emily Bashah

    Dr. Emily Bashah

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Dr. Emily Bashah is an author and licensed psychologist with a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. An expert witness in criminal, immigration and civil courts, she has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses, as well as first-degree murder. Dr. Bashah was awarded the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Policy Fellowship and served within the American Psychological Association’s Public Interest Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C. A frequent expert guest in media, Dr. Bashah clinically specializes in mental illness, personal and collective trauma, addiction and grief and loss, as well as family and relationship dynamics.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Hon. Paul Johnson

    Hon. Paul Johnson

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Hon. Paul E. Johnson Jr. is the host of The Optimistic American podcast, whose goal is to create space in the news media for a positive and hopeful view of America. He has a significant background in business, politics and government, and became the youngest mayor of Phoenix, Arizona at 30 years old. He has managed several state campaigns for presidential candidates and is the CEO and co-founder of Redirect Health.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
53 global ratings
Important subject for our time
5 Stars
Important subject for our time
I wish there were more authors from this pov. A rare and interesting perspective.
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Top reviews from the United States

The Spicy Apron
5.0 out of 5 stars A much needed book
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2022
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This book hits the shelves just in the nick of time! It's full of insightful facts and provides thought-provoking analysis that is desperately needed in the world today. It should be a must-read for our generation and future generations to come. The book is also exceptionally well-written and easy to understand. Highly recommend.
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Sandra J Gonzales
5.0 out of 5 stars I was drawn in at the very beginning
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2022
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Emily Bashah pulls the reader in immediately in the Forward The Dance. I could see the dancer and feel movements.
I have not finished the book yet but I find it very intriguing and feel it is definitely a book written to help us understand this turbulent time we are in politically as well as how to navigate and to establish our agency.
3 people found this helpful
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Francine Hardaway
5.0 out of 5 stars I Wish I Had Written This Book!!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
The book for today.
This is an amazing and unique book. (Yeah, I know how you feel about the word "unique," but trust me.) I don't even know how these two even met, much less came to write a book together. But they are the perfect authors for our time. One is a clinical psychologist, the other a former Mayor of Phoenix, who got elected when he was 29.
Together they talk about the power of addictive ideologies, like Nazi Germany and the OathKeepers, and QAnon, and how they highjack the amygdala (the primitive part of the brain) of people who are fearful because they are being left out. This has happened throughout history.
But the really cool part is that they also talk about how we have to help these people regain agency and optimism so they can be part of America instead of trying to destroy it.
How do we do that? By steering away from political parties (Johnson suggests registering as Other), who are only interested in their own survival and not in you. Among other changes to the electoral process, the authors suggest open primaries. Most of all they talk about how to lead life: "demand inspiration, not demonization, love not hate, the light rather than darkness."
You will have to read the book to find out how this reflects the will of the Founders and the Constitution, so that no matter whether you are conservative or liberal you can adopt the authors' citizenship tools and use them going forward.
The best thing about this book is the different perspectives of the authors, male and female, politician and social scientist.
3 people found this helpful
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Trisha D. Overvaag
5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant and moving
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2023
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A book for those who want to improve their lives and the lives those around them. The past and present are uniquely interwoven to produce a work that provides real world examples of how easily an ideation can turn into tragedy.
2 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Avoiding atrocities of the past
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2022
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When I look around at today’s polarized politics and the vitriol of debate, I ask myself, “How did we get here and how much worse can it get?” This book offers answers to both questions. Through real life stories of the genocide in Iran and a psychological analysis of its underpinnings, Dr. Emily Bashaw shows us the lure of tribalism and how easily it can be used to justify atrocities. As she astutely points out, atrocities of the past did not result from the leadership of just one person or even one government. They resulted from divided societies where each side believed it was "right" and therefore justified in attacking the other. They resulted from social conflicts much like those we are experiencing today in the US and around the world. But as Paul Johnson points out, our current divisions do not need to devolve into the atrocities of the past if we, as individuals, acknowledge our part in the situation and exercise our own agency to prevent it from devolving. This book should be a mandatory read for any politician, leader, or individual who truly wants to protect our democracy.
2 people found this helpful
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Bradley Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and historically based insight for our challenging times, and hope for a better future!
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2022
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This wonderful book helps you see and understand addictive ideologies both micro to ones personal relationships and macro to society. It is a timely and thought-provoking journey through history. Like Johnson's podcast the Optimistic American, Johnson and Bashah give us a hopeful and new way of looking at the media and society. Great read!
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SusieQ
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2022
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This book is a must read for all who are seeking ways to promote civil discourse and promoted a greater sense of unity in our country. This book provides the reader with a clear understanding of why our nation is so divided today and the dangers posed to the traditional values that made our country great. Dr. Bashah and Mr. Johnson help us understand the dangers of not listening to people with whom we disagree, inability to empathize with people holding a different point of view, and politicians placing their power over the health of the nation.
-Ben Click; retired Dallas, Texas Chief of Police
3 people found this helpful
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Craig Coppola
5.0 out of 5 stars Great perspective
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2022
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The world is always changing. This book puts the changes happening into perspective. If you are looking for a well-reasoned, thought out and moderate view on what is going on, this is your read. 5 stars.
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Top reviews from other countries

O Hornby
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, highly recommended
Reviewed in Canada on December 21, 2022
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Really interesting read that touches on some of the deep ideologies and historical narratives that shape us today. Highly recommend
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