Celebrity Politics is the Future

[tharun]

I'm interested in whether people agree or disagree with my hypothesis that celebrity politics is the future of democracy.

Now, I know that we have suffered demagogueism (if that is a word..) for years, but I firmly believe that pre-chosen 'celebrity politics' is the future of western democracy. (By pre-chosen I mean already famous. Famous for being famous if you like, as opposed to someone coming from a political background and making themselves famous.) In the US we have seen it on a state-level so far, we've had Jesse the Body, and Arnie elected as governors. To a slightly lesser extent we could include Reagan as he was a movie star, however he wasn't exactly a box office legend like Arnie, or a wrestling hero like Jesse.

The success of Pop Idol and Big Brother in Western nations, as well as the success of other reality tv type shows has demonstrated the love the common people have for celebrity. I believe that this is now being transferred into the political arena. Furthermore, it is my belief that this effect will be seen to a much greater extent in the coming years.

I think we will soon see the likes of Oprah, Will Smith, Jerry Springer and Arnie (once he gets that pesky constitution changed to live up to future Demolition Man predicted for him..) running for president in the US. In the UK we've already seen Martin Bell elected as an MP.. and that doctor bloke who I don't remember the name of but was a local celebrity at the time being elected as an MP too.

It surely can't be long until celebrities are taking the highest ranks of office in western nations. I give it 12 years before we see our first 'celebrity' chosen as president or prime minister in a leading western nation. (and at the same point, they will be mocked and teased greatly by the French).

If you think this is unlikely, please explain why, I'm interested to hear. Also, if you think this might be in any way bad, then I'd love to hear too.

I think 2016 would be very interesting if we had Arnie as the Presinator of the US, and David Beckham as the Prime Prince Minister of Britain..

-tharun

[Pyrosama]

Originally posted by tharun
It surely can't be long until celebrities are taking the highest ranks of office in western nations. I give it 12 years before we see our first 'celebrity' chosen as president or prime minister in a leading western nation.

You won't give credit to Ronald Reagan???