Advances in behavioural, decision and social sciences show that humans are not purely rational beings.
As a result, this report brings new insights to political behaviour.
It calls upon evidence-informed policymaking not to be taken for granted.
Contributing to the research that underpins this JRC report were:
There is a chapter dedicated to each key finding.
The latest scientific thinking as well as possible implications for policymaking are outlined.
The key findings from the report are:
Our thinking skills are challenged by today's information environment and make us vulnerable to disinformation. We need to think more about how we think.
Science can help us re-design the way policymakers work together to take better decisions and prevent policy mistakes.
We can't separate emotion from reason. Better information about citizens' emotions and greater emotional literacy could improve policymaking.
Values and identities drive political behaviour but are not properly understood or debated
Facts don't speak for themselves. Framing, metaphors and narratives need to be used responsibly if evidence is to be heard and understood.
The erosion of trust in experts and in government can only be addressed by greater honesty and public deliberation about interests and values.
The principle that policy should be informed by evidence is under serious attack. Politicians, scientists and civil society need to defend this cornerstone of liberal democracy.
Understanding our political nature: how to put knowledge and reason at the heart of policymaking
"Understanding our political nature" is the first output from the Enlightenment 2.0 research programme.