New Module

I started a new module on politcial communications today. The first session looked at the way Bill Clinton, and then Tony Blair, used commercial marketing strategies to win elections. Essentially it was a case of find out what the people want and promise it to them. It's a formula which has worked well for business based as it is on Freudian principles of selfishness. Obviously experience has taught us that this approach works very well to win elections but not in government. All individuals are contradictory and if political parties try to pander too much to individualism they too become contradictory, and unable to produce coherent policy. We're also now at point where there is a lot of public consciousness about the marketing techniques that have ben used to win election campaigns. What happens from now on is what this module looks at, as well as taking a look at how things might develop in other countries.

Is Brown to be Believed?

It was interesting to see the comments that came out of the Fabian Society Meeting held yesterday. It was an opportunity for Gordon Brown to set out his thoughts about a government run by him might operate. One of the striking things about Mr Brown, both in this most recent speech and over the past months has been is very public scorning of celebrity culture. He is certainly positioning himself as a man of ‘character’ and ‘values’. Perhaps this approach, a return to a more traditional way of conducting politics, might be much more effective at re-engaging the public and increasing trust in politics and voter turn out. How genuine this positioning is remains to be seen. However, as I said yesterday, more use of new media and marketing style political communications will in my view only drive people further apart and increase apathy so perhaps a return to more ‘soap box’ political debate is worth a shot.