By: Sophia Rathleff
"The cost of engaging in idolization is heavy; it impacts the future of our nation’s policy and determines our success.”
Idolisation is the act of admiring strongly, and a plague upon the political scene. There has been a worrying increase notable in the scene of politics. It has become a sensation that grips not only election season but everyday life. The endless jokes, about not discussing politics at family dinners or bringing certain topics up with certain members of the family, are tired and largely brushed off. But they stem from somewhere, and that somewhere is posing a grievous threat to politics as a whole.
The two main driving factors for this exploding increase in idolisation are largely considered as:
Social media
The history of idolisation in wider pop culture
These two causes are heavily intertwined, with one easily catalysing the other. Idolisation of celebrities especially has become gradually more intense as the wider use of social media has been ingrained in society at large. This environment has yielded a dangerous situation that becomes more and more precarious with each passing year.
What makes idolisation so dangerous?
It's simple in that it; creates a cult-like mentality, distorts the truth and focus of political motives and has detrimental implications on the individual.
This cult-like mentality has an irreparable effect on political discourse as a whole. Political discourse is the backbone of democratic politics and the election of public officials. In theory, it is built off of the foundations of the institutions they serve and the political motives of the party or individuals these officials represent. There are many reasons why this may not be met, but the idolisation of politicians creates a smokescreen in which the politician remains good. A blind follower base can arise through this and when emotion is connected to one’s political discourse, it becomes difficult to determine where the idolisation ends and the facts start.
If one were to look for a textbook example of the dangerous cult-like idolisation of a politician, it is hardly surprising that Donald trump and the MAGA crew come to the surface. Over the past 6 years, the US has seen the terrifying growth of this fanbase that has wielded ignorance and violence as their weapons of choice.
However, what is considered the “good” fanbases for politicians, such as those for Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Barabra Lee, are still perilous. They create a moral high ground that politicians simply should not be awarded. It also shapes the way in which politicians present and create their political motives, actions and outcomes. One, popularity is now at the forefront, which often involves strategic sweeping under the rug to be able to uphold and maintain. Two, it further polarises the political scene, creating mounting pressure to outdo the competition in ways of popularity, which often leads to radical proposals.
Overall, this polarisation must end, for the sake of the individual and the institution, wherever or whoever that may be. This is one political tren that must be contained and prevented elsewhere, not that it doesn't already exist outside the USA (this is just the chosen case study). If not for the reasons outlined above, idolisation should be limited because more often than not politicians have skeletons in the closet or they will do something that is a moral failure on some front. Not to say don't support and advocate for the candidates that share your views and values, but absolutely advocate for your right to participate in political discourse. But, one should leave it there, leaving the emotion and personal connection behind. It's safer for everybody in the end.
Sources:
Comments