Modern Politics: The Great Popularity Contest

The recent election in the UK has made me think a lot about modern politics, and what it takes to be successful.

Honestly, I believe that, more than ever, politics is a popularity contest, where the general population only really cares about charisma, enthusiasm and what I like to call ‘memeability’.

Ok, ok, yes, I did just use the word memeability. And yes, I am a serious libertarian writer, but let me explain.

Memeability is how easily something, or someone, can become a meme. Essentially, this is the likeability and popularity they generate from doing things the public deem to be ‘cool’, and, fundamentally ‘normal’ and ‘everyday’. An example from recent times is a Jeremy Corbyn eating a Pringle. To summarise this unbelievable and revolutionary event, someone offered Corbyn a Pringle, and he ate it.

UNBELIEVABLE, RIGHT?

Apparently, this was deserving of mass adoration and glorification from the general public, mostly in the 18-25 year old range. The number of times I was shown this video was ridiculous. Am I the only one who doesn’t care?

It is important to be relatable when running for office. However, it is not important to be relatable when you are leading a country. People vote for individuals who they believe are like them; ordinary people, who do ordinary things, live in an ordinary house, who are just regular nice people.

Before I continue, I would like to emphasise that I am a libertarian, which I highlighted in my previous post.

I’m just going to come out and say it, and hold on, this might be pretty shocking.

BEING ORDINARY DOES NOT MAKE A GOOD LEADER.

Just because a politician is fun and entertaining, does not mean they have what it takes to lead a country. In most cases, politicians are entirely self-interested, and while you may care and adore them, they truly do not care about you.

Seeing politicians as celebrities is dangerous, extremely dangerous. The problem with this is that many people naturally generate loyalty towards their favourite celebrity. Many people believe that ‘x’ celebrity can do no wrong.

Now apply this to a politician. If you genuinely believe your favourite politician can do no wrong, then you are falling into mankind’s most famous trap, in believing that someone else has unquestionable power over you, that regardless of their actions, if they lie, cheat, steal and kill, you will still support them.

It is only when we take liberty to be of paramount importance that we stop this from happening. We must take a step back and always question authority. Becoming attached to a politician, regardless of political leaning, be it Trump, Clinton, Putin, Corbyn or May, makes you blind to their actions.

Your individual, uninfluenced moral code should be your guide when making decisions about choosing a political leader or ideology. This, is why I am a libertarian.

Liberty is the sword that tears though the curtain.

Liberty creates the scepticism that holds politicians accountable for what they do.

Nobody is more valuable than anyone else. Liberty is what stops any individual from breaking this rule.