Progressive movements have often focused on issues, while conservatives have focused on values. This is a topic that came up a lot at our recent Organizing for Change conferences, and so we thought we'd pass along some of George Lakoff's wisdom, since he addresses this very issue in his work.

Lakoff explains how conservatives think, and how to counter their arguments. He outlines in detail the values that progressives hold, but are often unable to articulate. Lakoff also breaks down the ways in which conservatives have framed the issues, and provides examples of how progressives can reframe them.

The following links are about how progressives can think in terms of values instead of programs, and why people support policies which align with their values and identities, but which often run counter to their best interests.

Link to "Simple Framing": http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/projects/strategic/simple_framing/view
Link to "How to Respond to Conservatives": http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/research/lakoff/howtorespond
Link to free excerpt from "Don't Think of an Elephant": http://www.chelseagreen.com/2004/items/elephant

We hope you find these useful!