Finding the Way out of Our Political Staging Dilemma

It's akin to reality TV—not quite real, despite the name. At least, some may suspect this of modern politics. Not the voting and elections of our representatives of course, for that is real. But the staging of contenders and officials has always been susceptible to a kind of requirement of theatrical presence (to be kind). Under the best of circumstances, this has worked in our favor regarding perceptions of our most admired and appreciated officials.

However, the worst of circumstances bring us the exaggerated, often untrue hyperbole of our best worst actors: Trump, in the age of social media, as well as G.W.  . . . McCarthy's McCarthyism, to name just a few of the 20th-century opportunists of political theatrics known for their baseless or misguided, but popular, accusations, insinuations, and warnings. Such is the stuff that sometimes sways elections—powerful enough to change lives or leave them in peril based on misinformation.

It's unfortunate, for us all, that (it appears) the public likes to be fooled. The accusation isn't directed at politics but a reference to so-called Reality TV—that particular genre of television programming that implies an unscripted experience, but which has been revealed to be scripted. We cannot ignore the conscious and subconscious adjustments of personality that undoubtedly rise as a result of the (usually) lesser-known actors' knowledge of the presence of cameras, hence audience. The same sort of exaggeration happens on the political stage where the result, of course, is a much greater, often irreversible influence on public life.

Our "differences are amplified by the two parties, which use them to mobilize their base voters", says Charles Lipson, Real Clear Politics contributor.

As Lipson points out, political contenders—in order to appeal to their public audience and attract votes—must amplify their message. More, they must exaggerate their positions in order to fit their platform of acceptance and encourage its constituents to get out their votes (for them). When they do mobilize voters based on hot-button issues that get blood boiling and voters moving, they are essentially baiting hooks to direct votes away from the greatest societal needs.

How can we beat this problem?