If politicians are populists who are the people that make them popular?
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For the first time in human history leaders actually must know what the people’s needs are. In the vast majority of the present day world, politicians are in a very complicated situation because they have to be in line with the voters.
That’s a new thing, not much older than a century, and both politicians and voters are still trying to figure out what to do.
Imagine the Pharaohs asking their slaves and minions for opinions about building the Pyramids, or Emperor Nero trying to persuade Romans to burn to dust their beloved city because he finds that inspiring for his poetry? No, only present day democracy can assure people that their voice will be heard! Hearing the voice of the people is not that simple, actually it’s very complicated.
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We live in a sequence of the historical timeline when humankind is battling another war against oppression. This time the odds of winning are pretty good. But why? What has changed so dramatically to enable common people to wage their battles with success?
Ordinary people have mastered the weapon of the elite. A brutal weapon that can be used in the terms of “mass destruction.” The weapon is Social Media. We now have access to independent “streams” of news, but we also control the other ‘end,’ the very place where news is produced. The utmost dream of liberals and laborers has been reached. Hard working people can inform themselves for free, and they can do so without corporate controlled mainstream media. The People have got the Internet!
What are the results of the most important social development since the Magna Carta and the Abolition of Slavery?
Well, I’m afraid the development is not so glorious this time. Important news stories, such as political tensions, or reports of visible proof of climate change, or simply the facts of overwhelming worldwide government debt, are generally ignored by the public. Usually, videos of ‘Monkey Pees in Own Face’ or announcements for ‘XXX Homemade Videos’ from third rate stars are the kind of news that gets ‘liked’ or ‘shared’. These stories are not the most important news on the network, but they do become the most popular on many ‘walls’.
Politicians function exactly the same these days. Leaders have learned a lesson from the Internet. Our interest in their campaigns is more like ‘X-factor’ or ‘choose your idol’ shows than a real political platform with adequate programs, solutions, and answers. In response, our leaders simply became populist. They answer what the majority wants to hear, just like the period between the great wars.
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Fighting populism is one of the most demanding tasks of the our present day societies. Many politicians are trying to diminish democracy by using popular methods of mass delusion. We can see the signs all over the world, especially in Europe where many of the leaders are pushing agendas of revisionism, undermining anti-fascism, demolishing basic human rights of minorities, creating a culture to provoke the majority who allegedly are being harassed by the minority, and raising spirits of anti-Semitism and demons of the pre-WWII era.
From Ukraine to Scotland we can see examples of numerous populist outbreaks that twist the truth. Historical facts and even official policy of certain parties and governments are based on popular lies and demagogy.
A climate of conflict has been created. In a climate of conflict it’s just a matter of time before usually peaceful areas (Ukraine until last year) let political tension become the scenery of war.
If bombs suddenly start to fall on your neighborhood, or gay friends are obliged by law to wear rainbow stars on their sleeves in your country…
…Remember, politicians just want to be popular.
Photo: psd/Flickr