What Makes Someone Vote Against Their Political Party? | Sarah Longwell | TED

Our brains are hardwired to crave community and belonging - a tribal instinct that drives politics in the United States, says political strategist Sarah Longwell. She shares what she learned trying to convince people to vote against their political party in a recent election and shows why telling a better story about democracy is key to bridging the ideological divide.
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[@TheJennypoo2]

Sarah, thank you for being a “trusted messenger!”

[@Lou_Mansfield]

I love that Longwell listen to Trump voters and really understand their tribe, their stories, and what resonates with them. Most people just assume and never try to understand others

[@tracevicente]

She has been doing this for a while. The focus groups do matter. And people WANT to be heard.

[@user-ye1go6hw9r]

It's nice to see you here!

[@bobclarke2242]

Good idea for saving democracy, without saying we're saving democracy.

[@IlIlIlIlIlIlIIlIlIlIlIlIlIIIII]

She's admitting her fake organization is a psyop. Spoiler: she's working for Israel

[@margaretfisher99]

Interesting take on how we make voting decisions! I think the idea that people listen best to those who are most like them, is pretty accurate and well studied in the field of social marketing. I appreciate your take on trying to influence folks. But… The comments section was actually the most enlightening. People seem keen on pointing out that America is a constitutional republic. That, people, is true. However the basis is that one person has one vote. The idea that everyone has a voice. Unlike dictatorships where one person or a few make decisions for everyone, with no recourse. Think Russia. She was using democracy as a “value”. And I am pretty sure she knows we have a Democratic Republic. As far as those comments, that “you are never gonna listen to a Ted Talk again cuz it’s political”.., Ted talks exist on every topic you can conjure up. Yep. Even politics.

[@jamibraafhart5568]

If you loved this watch The Bulwark. Sarah and the rest of the team are the best

[@user-ye1go6hw9r]

100%

[@willpayne3647]

They are the best at raking in political donations to help "fight Trumpism" then turn around and take those donations to pay companies that they themselves own thereby basically grifting millions....they don't care about anything other than making money

[@brocklanders6969]

Lol.

[@IlIlIlIlIlIlIIlIlIlIlIlIlIIIII]

hi bot farm. The Bulwark is run by the same criminals that lied the US into the War in Iraq. It's a fake publication that makes no money.

[@carolinemaybe]

I’m an old Leftie and I pay to read and watch the Bulwark.

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

Insightful and informative TED Talk! Thank you for your efforts to save the freedoms democracy provides!

[@carborma]

A really difficult subject! Congratulations for the important contribution to improve the knowledge about democracy over the politicians!

[@agnostigo]

Speech has a point about tribalism but a romantic ted style ending as always.

[@ThisGuySaids]

i would have to disagree

[@astrologerdawn1200]

Brilliant as usual!

[@samibabar]

Interesting observation.

[@Someone-cd7yi]

Identifying too much with any specific party or candidate is problematic in my opinion. Elections are not sports matches where one team loses and the other one wins...

[@hawkname1234]

In America literally one team loses and one team wins. It's a mathematical consequence of first-past-the-post elections called Duverger's Law. You not liking it doesn't change that.

[@benruby5269]

"Democracy is like two wolves and a sheep deciding what to have for dinner." Benjamin Franklin The founders knew about the flaws of democracy because they were very intelligent so they formed a constitutional Republic. She didn't mention this fact at all. We aren't a democracy, we are a constitutional Republic with some democracy like aspects.

[@user-bb7zv9ut8q]

Some people don't look at what they eat. But the problem is not in democracy, but in the nation. We need to learn to be human now.

[@benruby5269]

@@user-bb7zv9ut8q since this nation has never actually been a full fledged democracy and never will perhaps you would be happier in a different nation. I like my country just fine. If a citizen doesn't like the laws in one state they have 49 other states to choose to live. In other nations if a citizen doesn't like the laws there just stuck with it. Only those who dislike REAL American values feel threatened by freedom of speech and freedom of press. Those on the side of truth and reality embrace ALL the data no matter how uncomfortable it makes them feel or how much of a disadvantage it puts them in.

[@penniebigelow4043]

Sarah Longwell is an American treasure. She needs to run for office.

[@China-129]

May love and laughter light your day and warm your heart and home. May joy bless you and light guide you today and always. Make today a blessing by creating a loving and calming space in which you feel at your best. Wishing you be safe in all your comings and goings. Stay Positive and have a great new week!

[@concernedcitizen7385]

Simple folk - out of conscience.. Those in higher office - out of the zeros that suddenly appeared in their bank accounts.

[@hawkname1234]

Great job Sarah!

[@marnie8022]

what after the party means?

[@milotiger100]

In this video, anti Trump was just an example or actually the main topic and purpose?

[@ryancooper1144]

Democrats hiring TED for election campaign, i guess

[@Daily_New_Inspiration]

really good!!

[@yvonneplant9434]

Sarah saying she is lesbian Republican is a total oxymoron. 😅

[@carolinemaybe]

Only in todays GOP. Sarah was the head of the Log Cabin Republicans. They were accepted before the radicals and zealots took the Party over. Sarah believed in their policies in good faith.

[@bretdaley6869]

My question is why do people vote against their own best interests

[@carolinemaybe]

Did you watch the video?

[@vesawuoristo4162]

Not all the tribes are the same.

[@singeringstar5096]

Nicely done

[@manifesting.inner.g]

No

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

I totally agree!

[@ShahrezadNorMohammadiy9116]

Oh 🤔 😊

[@ATHIP12]

If this video upset you, there’s a good chance you are putting tribe over country.

[@eemoogee160]

“If you want to pull the major party that is closest to what you’re thinking, you must-YOU MUST-show them that you’re capable of NOT voting for them. If you don’t show them you’re capable of not voting for them, they don’t have to listen to you. I promise you that. I worked within the Democratic Party. I didn’t listen or have to listen to anything on the left while I was working within the Democratic Party, because the left had nowhere to go.” - Lawrence O’Donnell on the 2006 documentary, ‘An Unreasonable Man’.

[@hawkname1234]

Trying to extract policy concessions is something you do when the risk isn't ending democracy and the rule of law. You're not going to like it in a Putinesque oligarchy.

[@eemoogee160]

@@hawkname1234 Been alive long enough to hear these threats before.

[@eemoogee160]

@hawkname1234 The Clintons were good friends with Trump. Neocons control the foreign policy of both parties. They work for the same companies that profit from war and poisoning the planet.

[@kathrynbbeauty]

Sarah having a Ted Talk?! YES, PLEASE!

[@tylerjames7449]

…grievous failures to enact the will of their constituents…

[@alonbinyamin]

Democracy is barely functional. We stopped trying to improve and find a better system. Democracy is the best form of government we (humanity) designed so far. But that doesn't mean it's any good. I wouldn't want to go back to other forms of from history, but there is a perception that Democracy is amazing and there is no need to move past it. It's absolutely not. It's a deeply flawed system that just barely not collapses completely.

[@user-bb7zv9ut8q]

Maybe we need normal citizens. But you can't insult pigs...

[@benruby5269]

Fortunately the founders were very intelligent and knew about the flaws of democracy so they formed a constitutional Republic. As Benjamin Franklin said, "democracy is like two wolves and a sheep deciding what to have for dinner".

[@benruby5269]

​@@user-bb7zv9ut8q the tactic of insulting everyone who disagrees is completely opposite of what our nation stands for. People flee from oppressive nations to come here so they can safely disagree. But hey, keep up the insults because it's making a certain political party that believes in the REAL United States of America much, much stronger.😊

[@user-bb7zv9ut8q]

@@benruby5269 One of the most important principles says that no one can do exercises for you, the next one says: a pigsty is where the pigs are. Yes, there may be a few of these who come to America, I know one and these are his words given above. But he is not running away from insults; it is impossible to insult him. He fled from the insulted, whom he could not turn into people.

[@usaintltrade]

😂

[@ChristianKelley91]

The United States is not a Democracy, it’s a Constitutional Republic- there is a difference

[@senghtan]

Democracy is a concept or idea; check the Declaration of Independence; the Constitutional Republic is one manifestation or sign of democracy.

[@user-bb7zv9ut8q]

If there are demos available, they will be the source of power. And the states believe it is possible to exist without the demos, apparently.

[@sahilgupta820]

Good speaker

[@ShahrezadNorMohammadiy9116]

*"The Jew of Malta"* is a play written by Christopher Marlowe, believed to have been composed around 1589. The plot revolves around Barabas, a wealthy Jewish merchant living in Malta during the sixteenth century. Here's a brief summary:

[@ShahrezadNorMohammadiy9116]

Barabas begins as a prosperous and influential figure, but due to political intrigue and manipulation, he loses his wealth. The governor of Malta confiscates his assets to finance the defense of the island against the Turks. Barabas, seeking revenge, involves himself in various schemes.

[@zohaib263]

Plz Add subtitles in your videos for better understanding

[@MrQuestful]

Transcript will come soon enough. It takes a few hours to generate.

[@zohaib263]

@@MrQuestful thanks for clarification dear today is aslo Election day in our country Pakistan 🇵🇰

[@abe_ismain]

Don’t we want to move from tribalism to another state like civilization That’s how we advance 😅 🎄🎁

[@ekstrajohn]

Book recommendation: Identity by Francis Fukuyama

[@vesawuoristo4162]

What have Republicans ever done for gay rights?

[@ryancooper1144]

Your question sounds like: What have democrats ever done to end slavery

[@ddavis78704]

@@ryancooper1144 So for some ignorant reason you think only Republicans fought on the Union side. Logic is not your strong suit.

[@ryancooper1144]

@@ddavis78704 Calling me an ignorant proves that you wont question the left for misinterpreting the history. Democrats largely supported slavery and fiercely resisted abolitionist efforts. They advocated for its expansion and viewed it as crucial to their economy and way of life. Most Union soldiers and leaders identified as Republicans and ultimately their victory ended slavery.

[@user-bb7zv9ut8q]

What have gay rights ever done for Republicans?

[@ddavis78704]

Based on your use of the language an and most proves my point. Thanks you!@@ryancooper1144

[@lovewin555]

Insightful ❤

[@lovewin555]

@@Ruby_Villain It's simple, in democracy, you need not answer questions if you don't wish to.

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

@@Ruby_VillainYou overestimate how interested people are in arguing in the comment section.

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

I didn’t mean to sound argumentative, either! 🙏

[@The6thelement9413]

The lack of support and their stupidity. I always vote for who can do the job, not the party.

[@senghtan]

this is unkind --- she has the integrity and guts. she manages to do the job --- against so many odds --- and continues doing so.

[@1goldinga]

The same asinine beliefs that have them thinking their votes mattered....our politicians come with a price tag and none of us can afford it.

[@jorgipogi]

In reality, it is also self-interest.

[@metta8]

There are plenty of people that vote against their own self-interest to fit in their tribe.

[@ChrisPyle]

One other point, America is a constitutional Republic, not a democracy.

[@Eastwood007x]

Exactly

[@manifesting.inner.g]

Yes!!💯🔥

[@ValDraper]

That is a form of democracy...

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

In the US, the terms "representative democracy " and "constitutional republic" are interchangeable and functionally the same, also have nothing to do with the names of parties. Duhhhhhhhh. Stop spewing illiterate nonsense and educate yourself.

[@LoriAW3791]

Wrong. The US is a constitutional democratic republic. Stop mainlining right-wing media 12 hours a day and take an 8th grade civics class.

[@lesbrown8099]

Excellent… thank you…

[@rashidabaakza8554]

👏👏👏 Such a hard topic, especially when you are publicly speaking. Even if you have to write ✍️ it’s little challenging like if you have enough knowledge about democracy vs community favouritism like what to include and what to exclude. And more worst if you have no idea what the topic is about. I mean it can be very deep or very shallow topic. 😊

[@thisisntallowed9560]

There's not a party that's going to align with all your political views, you can just vote for the one that aligns with most of them, or as many as possible.

[@metta8]

I don't vote by party. I vote on issues. Neither of the 2 main parties support Democracy. The Democrats are not even having a real Presidential primary this year. And we keep dropping in the list of top democracies in the World. My candidates will usually not win, but at least I'm voting for candidates and issues who are fighting for the right things. Maybe society will eventually catch up. Maybe they won't. But I'm not going to go backwards to fit in. I'm registered as NPP (No Party Preference) for a reason! I have no interest in tribalism. It causes too many bad things in society. I don't need to fit in and can think for myself.

[@manifesting.inner.g]

Its NOT okay to sexually castrate KIDS!

[@TannerMason]

It’s also not okay to be stupid enough to think that’s actually happening.. and yet.. here you are 😮

[@tracevicente]

Nobody is even doing that!

[@tommybuilds4038]

I’m no expert on focus groups but if you invite people in and show them persuasive videos until they change their mind to your point of view isn’t that a brainwashing session?

[@numbmoi]

Lmfao yes

[@jaygee5344]

Libs are great at it

[@numbmoi]

@@jaygee5344 exhibit A

[@Kogelvis]

"Someone made a well-reasoned argument which made me think critically for the first time in my life and now I'm starting to see things clearly...? Help, I've been brainwashed!!!!"

[@minnick66]

Do you really believe that being presented with another viewpoint that differs from your preconceptions is brainwashing? Jeez, she's right. People don't understand democracy at all.

[@rikachiu]

stop. I am a progressive and bernie bros are not my tribe 😛

[@harrypearle9781]

IDEA CONTESTS may be needed to come up with winning MESSAGES to wake up voters Ask people to submit ideas and test on sample voters to find out what really works? =========================================================== TNX MCH

[@meanderinoranges]

Don't vote for the guy who promises you more of other people's stuff. Vote for the guy whose policies will ensure the survival of this country for our kids.

[@TheWasthereonce]

Sounds like RFJ Jr. to me.

[@Ecrios]

Gosh, the very first few seconds of the video, looking at this "lady" stand makes everything else coming up further in the video itself unnecessary as well as unwanted to keep on watching (which I obviously didn't and am certainly not going to do and not recommending you, too). Is she so unconfident about the speech she's going to deliver making this kind of stomping or, vice versa, way too self-confident to persuade everyone to sit through the ads of her enormous ego?

[@brucecampbellschin8632]

Well thank god were a Constitutional Republic.

[@tierrasworld]

The same reason some democrats wants to republican and some went to democrats and then some went to non partisan. Don’t ask us ask them why they keep changing up. When it could be equal right for all by now

[@manifesting.inner.g]

TRUMP2024!

[@MrQuestful]

In all honesty, can we talk about why we have different views about Trump? I want to understand why you want him back.

[@JS-mh1fh]

​​@@MrQuestfulI'm not a trump supporter. I'm not a Biden supporter. Watch non-mainstream media to see what's going on at the southern border. And, Biden seems intent on leading us into wars both with China and in the Middle East simultaneously. Plus, that's not to mention inflation, the numbers of people with long COVID, revolving doors between federal agencies and corporations they're supposed to regulate....I could go on. There are so many big issues that could destroy this nation that Biden is leading that it shouldn't take many brain cells to determine if ones not influenced by legacy media.

[@ChrisPyle]

Look at all the African American people in NewYork finally realizing, the people they voted for that are now to blame for the border crisis, are also consuming the resources they need for their own families. They are waking up and polling for the other side in record numbers. Self interest is a powerful motivator.

[@robinr5337]

"Border crisis"

[@ChrisPyle]

@@robinr5337 Do you prefer invasion? What do you call 10,000 undocumented people per day from around the world coming in through the southern border?

[@jonsapify]

Huh? What does New York have to do with the border crisis? And how many African Americans count the border crisis among their top five issues?

[@Eastwood007x]

For me being a former democrat, it’s that the party abandoned everything I identified with and have gone from “counter culture is cool, give us a platform” to “counter culture is bad, silence them”

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

B.S.

[@Eastwood007x]

@@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134 my experience is that. I grew up thinking the rebels deserved a voice. Now that the rebels are people from my small town, they’re deplatformed on social media. Look at how you lashed out against me, it is a primary example. You can’t just disagree, you have to accuse me of bullshitting.

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

@@Eastwood007x You're not a rebel, you're a liar and projecting culture war BS. Cons are the ones banning everything, taking away civil rights, and silencing people. Stop being a disingenuous troll.

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

@@Eastwood007x Lying trolls are deplatformed on social media for spreading misinformation, btw. If you and your lying cohorts are deplatformed, it's because you're full of lies.

[@JS-mh1fh]

I've experienced the same. I now belong to no tribe, and observe that the left has become largely illiberal and less democratic. From the outside it's like watching a fight to control the ship, red vs blue, while ignoring the holes that's sinkng the ship (America). It's a now a typical tactic to simply dismiss someone's opinion or experience by labeling it BS or something similar. There's a growing number of us out here, wondering how many will be supporting RFK Jr, that is, if the red and blue stop changing rules and influencing msm.

[@vijaypoola8733]

Stand up comedy

[@christiansoldier1547]

In God's tribe , you're always loved and accepted love is a reciprocal emotion.

[@adamd3954]

1 problem with your talk...the US isn't a democracy, its a constitutional republic. That was done by design. The founding fathers hated large scale democracy with good reason. "Democracy is 2 wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner." Ben Franklin

[@zbatchDOC]

Bidenomics, hopefully

[@brentx23]

Psyop much

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

Not at all. Duhhhhhhh.Try learning what such terms actually mean when Jesse Watters and Alex Cuckoo Jones tell you what to think.

[@GlobalRevolution4All]

I know, right?

[@Ak_guy907]

Wow, I’ve tolerated a lot from TED. But this is just plain ridiculous stand-up comedy. I think this is a good departure point to unsubscribe.

[@manifesting.inner.g]

Dont you get it?? Americans are SICK of the perversive actions of the Democratic Party!

[@MrQuestful]

What do you see as perversive? Issues around LGBT rights?

[@LoriAW3791]

You need to stop mainlining right-wing media for 12 hours a day. They have radicalized your ignorant brain.

[@senghtan]

How many Americans? And 'perversive actions' --- be much more balanced of the Democratic Party; are they truly responsible for these perversive actions?

[@beernbashrc79]

You lost me at the Trump bashing in the first two minutes and I’m not a Trump fan. You’re a Democrat wondering why people vote for Trump. So go ahead and rename the video that to save people a few minutes of their time.

[@izzoaum]

Because I despise the premise, I was anticipating it being anger clickbait and that the speech would end up being very insightful. Nope. Americans don’t need to talk about or think about democracy because it’s “the air we breathe.” Complete nonsense and garbage thinking. We have no democracy in this country. The Princeton study proved that, as if being politically aware wasn’t enough proof. Your vote for president affects nothing in an oligarchy.

[@user-bb7zv9ut8q]

Who said democracy is about voting? This is a fallacy. And as a result, the sacrifice of people, or their destinies, which is equivalent.

[@c1pher1400]

This is nonsense. The USA is a republic. The problem is Democracy allows the majority to rule and the founders of this country didn't want a democracy. A Republic insures your rights know matter what the majority says. In a Republic there is no majority or minority. Don't allow them to change the narrative and make you think America is a democracy. And to the Republic for which it stands.

[@brocklanders6969]

She isn't a Republican strategist. Never-Trump is all she has.

[@ClubPenguinFan106]

Trump 2024 ❤

[@amgirl4286]

How about the Democrats BS? This is why we do t take TED serious

[@craigparsons7595]

Education, intelligence, and understanding a manifesto. Good luck with that over there 😂

[@davebarbetta]

Some good points, but you’re using language that alienates the people you claim to want to reach... you’d reach more people if you said “republic” in place of “democracy.”

[@senghtan]

democracy is an idea or concept, republic is a manifestation or sign of this idea of democracy.

[@timothiabalentine5344]

What is Biden a gift to democracy, I think not.

[@Someone-cd7yi]

You can say a lot about Biden, that he is old, demented, implement bad policies etc... But not that he calls on his voters to storm the capital...

[@fz_lyu]

@@Someone-cd7yi Or that he isnt the most radical or tries to seek bipartisanship for democrats and some republicans (the ones who put democracy over tribal thought)

[@boonhongchan1853]

TQ. This prompted a search for "what is 'Democracy". Believing that a majority of Americans would know, I was surprised, whilst reading the comments and replies. Most are very selective about what they like about Democracy. Searching I find 'Democracy' is an "Ideology", illusionary as history has recorded. It has been misused over and over again by human greed for power. Eventually leading towards disastrous mismanagement and collapses of empires. Unfortunately currently Democracy is still a contradiction to the Ideal, it's so complex that only few can comprehend the execution necessary, and that goes against the idea to achieve Equality of the people. Extremely forth righteous, caring and incorrigible leaderships and societies will be necessary for 'Democracy' to help the world. Current best contenders for best practices are probably Norway,.Sweden, Singapore and China.???

[@multivariateperspective5137]

This is political propaganda…. So disappointed.

[@harriemeeuwis978]

The title is a bit misleading. It should be 'how to convince people not to vote for Trump'. And since there's no opposite TED video about how to convince people to vote for Trump', it makes the position of Google clear.

[@montage1555]

Or how to convince people to not vote for biden.

[@harriemeeuwis978]

@@montage1555 Could be. It's not the most enticing video.

[@StigHelmer]

What weird talk - she's incredibly tribal, has bought all the main stream lies and only focus on the one enemy "Druummph!!1!".

[@GlobalRevolution4All]

Disappointed in this partisan talk from Ted. Ted should be inclusive of ALL people from all political leanings. It’s sad that Ted published someone that would so obviously alienate millions of people. And for the record, before any silly people respond to my comment, I didn’t vote for Trump one time. But Ted should never have published this video and I’m ashamed for them that they did. I disapprove.

[@JS-mh1fh]

Appreciation TED is not trying to cancel someone by not publishing, I see it as a stance supporting democracy.

[@Someone-cd7yi]

​@@Ruby_VillainI don't understand this. Democracy is a basic concept in my mind in which the people of a country govern themselves, by way of free elections instead of being ruled by an unelected authocratic leader. And whether you call it a constitutional republic or a parliamentary monarchy, the basic concept of democracy still applies.

[@senghtan]

Is there any talk that represents the entire spectrum of ideas --- one that's not partisan? Sarah Longwell does not claim to be non-partisan.

[@GlobalRevolution4All]

@@senghtan Ted didn’t used to be a conference for promoting partisan political diatribes

[@donovanroberts8607]

Wow, Everything is political now. TED has gone to $H!t.

[@scatton61]

Stop with the CRT nonsenss... Seperating people doesn't bring them together

[@KloKiller1]

Maybe democracy is fine. Maybe u are the shizo

[@darthstafford]

not a democracy, a constitutional republic. kkthxbye

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

In the US, the terms "representative democracy" and "constitutional republic" are interchangeable and functionally the same, also have nothing to do with the names of parties. Duhhhhhhhh. Stop spewing illiterate nonsense and educate yourself.

[@LoriAW3791]

Wrong. The US is and has always been a constitutional democratic republic. Take an 8th grade civics class instead of mainlining right-wing media for 12 hours a day.

[@Eastwood007x]

@@LoriAW3791 he would rather call you a liar and speak condescendingly to you.

[@Reilaos]

"It's not a 4 wheel drive, it's a sedan."

[@Eastwood007x]

@@Reilaos you mean four door, right? And not four wheel drive, right? Because 4WD and sedan aren’t mutually inclusive and you’re reinforcing his point