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Performance politics but empty words

(204 Posts)
PoliticsNerd Tue 21-Jan-25 07:41:12

Much of today's display of 'performance politics' may appear to yield results, but ultimately, it's unlikely that these promises will come to fruition. Signing public documents or holding photo opportunities in no way guarantees the passage of these bills and policies. However, this facade is what Trump supporters will initially remember. Like many Brexit supporters who have come to realise that getting what they wanted has not improved their lives or, in fact, led to nothing being done, some may eventually move towards authoritarianism.

Winston Churchill famously said that a democracy requires an informed voter. Unfortunately, too many people are either misinformed or uninformed. Those who are uninformed are, by default, the most susceptible to manipulation. My initial optimism about the potential of Citizens' Juries to empower citizens and foster informed debate now seems misplaced, as they have become mired in the complexities of government.

So, how can we, as individuals and as a society, work towards becoming better informed?

Mt61 Wed 22-Jan-25 11:02:07

Whitewavemark2

My point is that if someone admires Trump, Musk et Al then I think that you can assume that they are fascist supporters, who would vote for a Nazi party, - not uneducated.

You do talk rubbish at times whitewavemark2

Sago Wed 22-Jan-25 10:45:02

It’s scraping the bottom of the barrel when posters start hurling personal insults.

Elegran Wed 22-Jan-25 10:15:10

Sago

Elegran

Sago

Why Freya am I accused of being arrogant and righteous?

If you were to think hard about it, you might come up with your own answer. Maybe your admiration for the "hard man" attitudes of Trump, Musk & co is obscuring your view of their personalities, policies, and methods.

The question was to Freya .

It was a question posed in a public forum, so answered by one of the members of that forum. There are no guidelines forbidding any poster to answer it.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 22-Jan-25 10:13:08

Whitewavemark2

*I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between informed and uninformed voters and the role all forms of political education might play in that process.*

We can’t.

But I am aware that the progressive liberal politician throughout the democratic world, is understanding that they are losing the argument, particularly amongst the voter whose only relationship with politics is once every 4-5 years when they vote.

I think we shall see many ideas beginning to be developed as to how to remedy this situation.

politicsnerd

Any thoughts?

Sago Wed 22-Jan-25 10:09:33

Elegran

Sago

Why Freya am I accused of being arrogant and righteous?

If you were to think hard about it, you might come up with your own answer. Maybe your admiration for the "hard man" attitudes of Trump, Musk & co is obscuring your view of their personalities, policies, and methods.

The question was to Freya .

Elegran Wed 22-Jan-25 09:59:29

Sago

Why Freya am I accused of being arrogant and righteous?

If you were to think hard about it, you might come up with your own answer. Maybe your admiration for the "hard man" attitudes of Trump, Musk & co is obscuring your view of their personalities, policies, and methods.

Sago Wed 22-Jan-25 09:31:42

Why Freya am I accused of being arrogant and righteous?

Sago Wed 22-Jan-25 09:28:01

Freya5

Freya5

Sago

Whitewavemark2

My point is that if someone admires Trump, Musk et Al then I think that you can assume that they are fascist supporters, who would vote for a Nazi party, - not uneducated.

That is most offensive and inflammatory.

I would like you to ask admin to remove that post.

You have gone too far.

As always, with such an air of arrogance and righteousness.

Sago that was re the post you want to be gone.

Freya Yes.
Why do you ask?

Elegran Wed 22-Jan-25 09:23:20

Galaxy

I would be really interested in how people see the word 'woke'. As a woman if someone (in particular a man on social media) declares themselves as woke, I am instantly on edge as to me it usually indicates misogyny and a desire to shout at women. I think different groups have different reactions to the word woke.

Yes. Those who proclaim their social conscience most loudly are not necessarily those who actually have such a thing. My first thought on reading your post was Leigh Hunt's poem "Abou Ben Adhem"

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said
'What writest thou? '—The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered 'The names of those who love the Lord.'
'And is mine one? ' said Abou. 'Nay, not so,'
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still, and said 'I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.'

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
.
In this case, the word "men" includes all mankind, not excluding women - and Abu Ben Adhem does not claim to love God, or "righteousness", but humanity.

PoliticsNerd Wed 22-Jan-25 09:14:13

Iam64

Ok I’m in a Spartacus moment as I too have suggested posters I disagree with are ill informed.
I stress though, I’ve never criticised Leave voters as not very bright as I’m aware some did. I just think they were wrong. 🙈

But aren't we all misinformed? There is a whole industry trying to do just that.

The reason I mentioned Citizens Juries in the OP is because they are a mechanism for informed public deliberation. They have been shown to enhance understanding, promotes accurate information, and fosters civic engagement. My only worry is that it would be people like me who would chose to watch them. Those people who choose to work at getting facts, evidence and honesty (the name I chose rather gives it away smile). They have already been used on a small scale in the UK.

By addressing misinformation through structured dialogue and empowerment, such juries can help create a more informed and resilient public.

Freya5 Wed 22-Jan-25 09:13:38

Freya5

Sago

Whitewavemark2

My point is that if someone admires Trump, Musk et Al then I think that you can assume that they are fascist supporters, who would vote for a Nazi party, - not uneducated.

That is most offensive and inflammatory.

I would like you to ask admin to remove that post.

You have gone too far.

As always, with such an air of arrogance and righteousness.

Sago that was re the post you want to be gone.

Freya5 Wed 22-Jan-25 09:12:34

Sago

Whitewavemark2

My point is that if someone admires Trump, Musk et Al then I think that you can assume that they are fascist supporters, who would vote for a Nazi party, - not uneducated.

That is most offensive and inflammatory.

I would like you to ask admin to remove that post.

You have gone too far.

As always, with such an air of arrogance and righteousness.

Homestead62 Wed 22-Jan-25 08:58:28

I don't know the answer to this, but many people vote on personality and in some cases it's not so much anybody being misinformed, but politicians are very good at smoke and mirrors.

Oreo Wed 22-Jan-25 08:55:01

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.

Oreo Wed 22-Jan-25 08:54:28

I don’t have ideas, other than to state that all the info in the world is already there, tv, news, SM and the political parties own electioneering and constant pronouncements.

PoliticsNerd Wed 22-Jan-25 08:46:34

Oreo I do understand that the 'one man, one vote' principle means each vote carries equal weight.

However, my concern is about ensuring that all voters have access to the information they need to make informed choices. You have tied the two together so perhaps you have ideas about how we can enhance voter education without changing the fundamental principle of equal voting rights?"

Or have I completely misunderstood your post?

Oreo Wed 22-Jan-25 08:43:16

PoliticsNerd

Oreo

PoliticsNerd
There is no way of as you say ‘bridging the gap between the informed and uninformed voter’ the system is one man one vote.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you are trying to say.

Probably not 🤔
You can’t bridge the gap. We live in an amazing multi media world when the info never stops coming at you but people still choose to be uninterested in politics or vote purely in a sort of tribal way.You can’t fix that and nor should you try unless you really want a Big Brother State.

Oreo Wed 22-Jan-25 08:38:37

Iam64

Ok I’m in a Spartacus moment as I too have suggested posters I disagree with are ill informed.
I stress though, I’ve never criticised Leave voters as not very bright as I’m aware some did. I just think they were wrong. 🙈

At least you’re honest 😂

PoliticsNerd Wed 22-Jan-25 08:38:00

Oreo

PoliticsNerd
There is no way of as you say ‘bridging the gap between the informed and uninformed voter’ the system is one man one vote.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you are trying to say.

Iam64 Wed 22-Jan-25 08:34:39

Ok I’m in a Spartacus moment as I too have suggested posters I disagree with are ill informed.
I stress though, I’ve never criticised Leave voters as not very bright as I’m aware some did. I just think they were wrong. 🙈

Oreo Wed 22-Jan-25 08:29:33

Casdon

I think it’s human nature to do it Oreo, we can only try to recognise and avoid our own prejudices.

True, but even on a small forum where you might feel that you know posters, the reality is that you really don’t.
This banging on about informed and uninformed voters isn’t helping anyone.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 22-Jan-25 08:28:40

My big thing is imagining what people look like, and I’m always entirely wrong. For instance I imagined monica as a tall athletic type of person..

I’ve recently read that she is 5’2” 😄😄

On that note I’m signing out to get upnsnd move my proverbial.

Oreo Wed 22-Jan-25 08:25:40

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Whitewavemark2

My point is that if someone admires Trump, Musk et Al then I think that you can assume that they are fascist supporters, who would vote for a Nazi party, - not uneducated.

Well you assume wrong, in my case.

Like this example for instance.

Casdon Wed 22-Jan-25 08:24:59

I think it’s human nature to do it Oreo, we can only try to recognise and avoid our own prejudices.

Oreo Wed 22-Jan-25 08:22:34

Casdon

Oreo

Casdon

Oreo

Not just on this site Casdon but it does crop up here with depressing regularity I’ve noticed.
Time to stop looking down sniffily on anyone who chooses to vote in a different direction and assume they are uneducated .

-or woke.

Or anything, since we don’t know each other.

No, but I’m sure that because this is a small site with regular posters, everybody makes assumptions, often wrong, about everybody else?

Then time to stop doing it?