The Political Circus, the Professional and the Internet

The Political Circus, the Professional and the Internet

By: Amit Bhushan Date: 5th June, 2014

We have a major political development that most of political parties are yet to take into account and make necessary provisions for, while evaluating the perceived success of their programs with people. That phenomenon is the rise of professionals in India. While this community is still small in terms of actual numbers in comparison to total population, however its power to use/exploit media and especially social media, supports the group to wield disproportionate influence. This group is also a consumer for most products (therefore cannot be ignored by mass media which relies on consumer sponsorship money) and reference point for opinions for the masses and so it matters. The political parties can only ignore this group to their own peril has already been proven in the general elections of India 2014, and most leaders may have felt the group’s power to influence political minds of activists leading to changes in programs and opinions. As India goes and grows further, this group is like to grow further in influence.

Most political commentators while making their political forecasts perform a linear extrapolation of trend lines to arrive at a future picture of the political scenario. Have they estimated the exponential growth potential of such groups and the power of their collective influence say 3-5 years down the line given the rate at which such groups may be growing? Given that the influence of this class opinion makers have been acknowledged publicly by almost all political parties in this elections, it may be a very safe bet to predict that this group will be a decisive influence in most subsequent elections as well since the play of ‘connection technology’ as well as ‘growth in number of professionals’ as well as ‘improved awareness levels in this class’ are given facts with irreversible growth trends. The penetration of ‘smart phones’ and other devices will only accentuate the trend further.

The political leaders as well as parties may therefore be better off, if the calculate the influence of this class in the outcomes, while devising and pursuing their agendas. Given the disproportionate influence of this class, the political leaders may be better off if they can woo this class to shape or transform the agenda party so that their party can benefit from such influence.

Quite a few political leaders and parties are missing an important point about the defeat in elections; that is their defeat is not being classified as loss to some stronger force but it is being seen as their moving towards becoming outdated. The import of such value judgment therefore should be much stronger than being depicted by the Netas and parties. If they are defeated, they have a chance to spring back in subsequent elections; however if they progress towards becoming outdated, they the chances are a bit too grim. This problem is accentuated by the gloating Netas who have little by the way of value add while participating in Televised debates where they are crowing nearing the same things that any ordinary Paan-wallah will proffer as solutions/suggestion/argument; provided he is put on the discussion panel (age of goggle seems to be a great leveler). The same is true regarding the social media intervention as well, however no systematic analysis is presently available (food for thought for some techie friends, to open a website and garner some advertisement revenues). So the challenge to match up to contemporary junta by offering solutions/suggestions/arguments that gel or ring some bell is an arena of challenge which is cause for Nets becoming outdated. Another challenge for those Netas who are absent on media/social media is that they are perceived as unapproachable or ‘totally obsolete’ and balancing view or perception map amongst public is what is needed to be developed. This off course is a perception/image problem since public has to develop impressions in absence of real information or views. It might be off-course be left to the party leadership to arrive at their own judgment about their faring in the hustling and take their own measures suited to the party’s temperament and ideology.

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

In the modern landscape of politics, the term "political circus" often encapsulates the chaotic and often entertaining nature of political discourse, particularly in democratic societies. This phenomenon is characterized by the heightened drama, media spectacle, and public engagement that surround political events, debates, and controversies. The rise of the internet has only amplified this effect, creating a digital arena where the lines between professional political discourse and public opinion blur. Politicians, who are traditionally seen as the professionals in this field, now find themselves not only addressing their peers and constituents in formal settings but also engaging directly with citizens on social media platforms. This direct engagement can be both a boon and a bane, as it allows for a more immediate and personal connection with the electorate but also exposes political figures to a rapid-fire criticism and the challenges of managing a diverse and often polarized public opinion in real time. The internet, with its vast and interconnected networks, has transformed the political circus into a global spectacle, where news and opinions can travel faster than ever before, often bypassing traditional gatekeepers and reaching a wider audience. This shift has democratized information but also contributed to the spread of misinformation and the echo chambers that reinforce existing beliefs, sometimes at the expense of nuanced and informed debate. As a result, the political circus continues to evolve, reflecting the complex interplay between professional political practices and the ever-influential role of the internet in shaping public discourse.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

The Political Circus, the Professional and the Internet

By: Amit Bhushan Date: 5th June, 2014

We have a major political development that most of political parties are yet to take into account and make necessary provisions for, while evaluating the perceived success of their programs with people. That phenomenon is the rise of professionals in India. While this community is still small in terms of actual numbers in comparison to total population, however its power to use/exploit media and especially social media, supports the group to wield disproportionate influence. This group is also a consumer for most products (therefore cannot be ignored by mass media which relies on consumer sponsorship money) and reference point for opinions for the masses and so it matters. The political parties can only ignore this group to their own peril has already been proven in the general elections of India 2014, and most leaders may have felt the group’s power to influence political minds of activists leading to changes in programs and opinions. As India goes and grows further, this group is like to grow further in influence.

Most political commentators while making their political forecasts perform a linear extrapolation of trend lines to arrive at a future picture of the political scenario. Have they estimated the exponential growth potential of such groups and the power of their collective influence say 3-5 years down the line given the rate at which such groups may be growing? Given that the influence of this class opinion makers have been acknowledged publicly by almost all political parties in this elections, it may be a very safe bet to predict that this group will be a decisive influence in most subsequent elections as well since the play of ‘connection technology’ as well as ‘growth in number of professionals’ as well as ‘improved awareness levels in this class’ are given facts with irreversible growth trends. The penetration of ‘smart phones’ and other devices will only accentuate the trend further.

The political leaders as well as parties may therefore be better off, if the calculate the influence of this class in the outcomes, while devising and pursuing their agendas. Given the disproportionate influence of this class, the political leaders may be better off if they can woo this class to shape or transform the agenda party so that their party can benefit from such influence.

Quite a few political leaders and parties are missing an important point about the defeat in elections; that is their defeat is not being classified as loss to some stronger force but it is being seen as their moving towards becoming outdated. The import of such value judgment therefore should be much stronger than being depicted by the Netas and parties. If they are defeated, they have a chance to spring back in subsequent elections; however if they progress towards becoming outdated, they the chances are a bit too grim. This problem is accentuated by the gloating Netas who have little by the way of value add while participating in Televised debates where they are crowing nearing the same things that any ordinary Paan-wallah will proffer as solutions/suggestion/argument; provided he is put on the discussion panel (age of goggle seems to be a great leveler). The same is true regarding the social media intervention as well, however no systematic analysis is presently available (food for thought for some techie friends, to open a website and garner some advertisement revenues). So the challenge to match up to contemporary junta by offering solutions/suggestions/arguments that gel or ring some bell is an arena of challenge which is cause for Nets becoming outdated. Another challenge for those Netas who are absent on media/social media is that they are perceived as unapproachable or ‘totally obsolete’ and balancing view or perception map amongst public is what is needed to be developed. This off course is a perception/image problem since public has to develop impressions in absence of real information or views. It might be off-course be left to the party leadership to arrive at their own judgment about their faring in the hustling and take their own measures suited to the party’s temperament and ideology.

This political article is a masterclass in persuasive communication. The writer's writing style is remarkably incisive and authoritative, cutting through complex issues with clarity and conviction. There's a palpable sense of purpose in every sentence, driving the argument forward with intellectual rigor. The structure of the piece is strategically designed to build a compelling case, carefully introducing evidence and counterpoints in a way that maximizes their impact. Each section contributes meaningfully to the overall narrative, leading the reader towards a well-reasoned conclusion. Critically, the clarity with which the political landscape and proposed solutions are articulated is exemplary, leaving no ambiguity about the writer's stance or the implications of their analysis. This is not just reporting; it's a powerful and accessible contribution to public discourse.