POLSCI 431S · also PSY 326S
Reason and Passion in Politics
Christopher David Johnston
Description from DukeHub
Explores the nature of mass politics in democracies through the distinction between reason and passion and the idea that a well-functioning democracy requires the triumph of cold deliberation over emotion and intuition. Discussion of classic texts on reason and passion from philosophy, politics, and psychology; dual-process models of political judgment and decision making; political belief updating and persistent disagreement over facts; moral psychology and political ideology; emotions and collective action.
Skills
No skill passed the confidence bar. Weak matches go to review instead of this page: an AI pass that has to quote the description, then a person.
AI-resilient: 2 of 5
- No: Physical, lab or field work
- No: Live work with people
- Yes: Judgment someone is accountable for · "decision"
- No: A craft you practice with your hands or body
- Yes: Small, in-person format · seminar, 18 seats per section
The checks lean on Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025), which found generative AI applies least to physical work and hands-on work with people. A signal, not a promise. How the score works
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