The Rockridge Institute was an American non-profit research and progressivethink tank founded in 1997 and located in Berkeley, California from 2003 until April 30, 2008.[1] Its stated goal was to strengthen democracy by providing intellectual support to the progressive community.[2] The Rockridge Institute promoted progressive ideas and values, studied their implications, and worked to provide an effective articulation of those values to shift public discourse.
Founded by the prominent cognitive linguistGeorge Lakoff, the Rockridge Institute sought to examine the way that frames—which Lakoff describes as "the mental structures that influence our thinking, often unconsciously"—determine our opinions and values.[3][4] Based on extensive research in human cognition, the Rockridge Institute argued that the way an issue is framed—the language used to describe it and the metaphors used to understand it—influences our political views as much, or more, than the particulars of a given policy.[5]
Accordingly, the Rockridge Institute attempted to monitor the manipulative use of framing, particularly by right wing organizations and politicians, and to promote frames that encourage progressive thinking. A much discussed example of framing is the Bush administration's use of the phrase War on Terror to describe its policies following the September 11th attacks. The use of the "war" metaphor, the Rockridge Institute and others contended, had a tremendous effect on U.S. policy and public debate.[6] They further contended it has allowed the president to assume war powers, makes opposition to the "war" seem unpatriotic, and was used to justify the invasion of Iraq, although cooperation between Al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein had not occurred.[7] If the U.S. response to September 11 had been framed as a criminal proceeding, the Rockridge Institute and others argued, such extraordinary measures would never have garnered sufficient political support.[8]
The Rockridge Institute sought to raise consciousness about manipulative framing and to propose progressive frames on a wide range of issues, including the economy, immigration, religion, and the environment.
In December 2005 the Rockridge Institute invited its participants to apply for the 25 openings for the Advisory Board for its on-line community of practice called the Rockridge Nation.[9]
DissolutionEdit
The Rockridge Institute announced its closure in April 2008.
Cognitive Policy Works, an offshoot organization formed by former Rockridge fellows, maintains an online archive of Rockridge materials.
Clift, Eleanor (June 2006). . Newsweek. Archived from the original on 2006-06-19. Retrieved Nov 12, 2009.
August 31, 2023
rockridge, institute, american, profit, research, progressive, think, tank, founded, 1997, located, berkeley, california, from, 2003, until, april, 2008, stated, goal, strengthen, democracy, providing, intellectual, support, progressive, community, promoted, p. The Rockridge Institute was an American non profit research and progressive think tank founded in 1997 and located in Berkeley California from 2003 until April 30 2008 1 Its stated goal was to strengthen democracy by providing intellectual support to the progressive community 2 The Rockridge Institute promoted progressive ideas and values studied their implications and worked to provide an effective articulation of those values to shift public discourse Rockridge InstituteFormation1997HeadquartersBerkeley CA USASenior FellowsGeorge LakoffGlenn W SmithEric HaasExecutive DirectorBruce BudnerWebsitewww rockridgeinstitute org Contents 1 Framing 2 Dissolution 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksFraming EditMain article Framing social sciences Founded by the prominent cognitive linguist George Lakoff the Rockridge Institute sought to examine the way that frames which Lakoff describes as the mental structures that influence our thinking often unconsciously determine our opinions and values 3 4 Based on extensive research in human cognition the Rockridge Institute argued that the way an issue is framed the language used to describe it and the metaphors used to understand it influences our political views as much or more than the particulars of a given policy 5 Accordingly the Rockridge Institute attempted to monitor the manipulative use of framing particularly by right wing organizations and politicians and to promote frames that encourage progressive thinking A much discussed example of framing is the Bush administration s use of the phrase War on Terror to describe its policies following the September 11th attacks The use of the war metaphor the Rockridge Institute and others contended had a tremendous effect on U S policy and public debate 6 They further contended it has allowed the president to assume war powers makes opposition to the war seem unpatriotic and was used to justify the invasion of Iraq although cooperation between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein had not occurred 7 If the U S response to September 11 had been framed as a criminal proceeding the Rockridge Institute and others argued such extraordinary measures would never have garnered sufficient political support 8 The Rockridge Institute sought to raise consciousness about manipulative framing and to propose progressive frames on a wide range of issues including the economy immigration religion and the environment In December 2005 the Rockridge Institute invited its participants to apply for the 25 openings for the Advisory Board for its on line community of practice called the Rockridge Nation 9 Dissolution EditThe Rockridge Institute announced its closure in April 2008 Cognitive Policy Works an offshoot organization formed by former Rockridge fellows maintains an online archive of Rockridge materials See also EditCompound empowerment George Lakoff Glenn W SmithReferences Edit The Rockridge Era Ends Archived from the original on July 27 2011 Retrieved 31 May 2013 About Us Rockridge Institute Archived from the original on July 1 2008 Retrieved 31 May 2013 Welcome to Berkeley Linguistics Politics amp Economy George Lakoff Biography PBS NOW with Bill Moyers NPR The Thinking Behind Red and Blue States Talk of the Nation 2004 10 12 It s Not a War on Terror The Nation 2006 09 08 Smith R Jeffrey 2007 04 06 Hussein s Prewar Ties To Al Qaeda Discounted Washington Post pp A01 Retrieved 2008 03 22 Brzezinski Zbigniew Terrorized by War on Terror Truthdig 2007 03 07 Chuck Watts advisory board member Rockridge Nation External links EditPublic Eye on Lakoff and framing Rockridge Institute website Rockridge Nation Rockridge Institute community blog Lakoff s Thinking Points available online Clift Eleanor June 2006 Rove s Trap The president s strategist is politicizing the Iraq war for partisan political gain Will the Dems figure out how to fight back Newsweek Archived from the original on 2006 06 19 Retrieved Nov 12 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rockridge Institute amp oldid 1137673046, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
