Why people recommend it
In Defense of Politics by Bernard Crick is a political science classic that defines politics as a distinct, precious activity involving genuine relationships among diverse people rather than treating them as mere objects of philanthropy. The work has been prominently referenced by Ezra Klein on The Ezra Klein Show on multiple occasions. In February 2026, Klein mentioned that he had become obsessed over the past year with a specific quote from the book regarding human relationships and political interaction. Earlier, in November 2025, Klein discussed how Bernard Crick originally published the text in 1962, describing it as a strange little book that established a very specific, valued definition of politics. Across these episodes, Klein utilized the text to explore social life, political theory, and the fundamental nature of democratic engagement, demonstrating how Crick's mid-century insights continue to resonate with contemporary political commentators examining modern civic life and public discourse.
Who recommended it
- Ezra Klein Discussed
Ezra Klein — 2 mentions
“I've become obsessed with this quote over the the past year from Bernard Crick. It's in this book called In Defense of Politics, and he says that politics involves genuine relationships with people who are genuinely other people, not objects for our philanthropy or tasks for our redemption.”
“In 1962, Bernard Crick published this strange little book called In Defense of Politics. Politics for Crick is something precious and specific.”