Dr. Melvyn Lurie wrote his book, PsychePolitics–How to Read The Political Mind, a book for Voters based on 30 years of practicing psychiatry. The book applies psychology to politics. It describes what happens when we carry certain childhood lessons with us into adulthood–and how they affect politics.

Melvyn breaks down both major political parties. The Republicans, he says, have a difficult time attracting qualified people to government because it is a party ideal to limit government—a Catch 22. The Republican Party tends to draw people in when those people are angry.

The Democrats, on the other hand, take on the role of parents, helping the weak, needy and disenfranchised—the party of “the little guy.” The problem for The Democratic Party is that they pay too much attention to the weakest in society and anger the middle class.

Melvyn had some keen observations about the qualities of a president. For a president, or presidential candidate, to appeal to the pundits, that person must exhibit parental qualities. In the case of a woman candidate, the person must not appear too nonparental by being viewed as “sexual.”

Melvyn discussed Populism by examining Ronald Reagan’s appeal to “Reagan Democrats.” Populism is a demeaning term, according to Melvyn. A populist touches emotions of the populace. President Reagan, for instance, appealed to voters’ aggression. “Let’s go get those Commies” attitude prevailed.

The key to effective government in the future, says Melvyn, is to temper the pleasure we receive by giving to the less fortunate and focusing on the middle.

Hear the entire interview below: