Member-only story
Voltaire 2.0: disagreement, but decently, as new political norm
Polarisation in the political arena and society at large go hand in hand. Somewhere around the globe (early) elections and other power transitions are going on at any given time. These could be possible starting points for changing the vicious cycle. The opportunity is however never seized because convincing on contents takes away attention for the more important ingredient: attitude change.
A new start, but whereto?
Usually when political shock waves visit a country, in particular after an existing government has to call it quits prematurely, reactions are ecstatic. The future is now one big rosy affair because finally good policies can get a chance. The more sobering observation is that these reactions come from all sides of the spectrum, even if there are just a few parties, let alone when there are many. The fact that they cannot all be right hardly ever seems to bother anyone in still insisting that it can only get better. In particular, is the oft-heard statement, because a new generation of politicians will suddenly successfully address all problems.
A clearer opportunity in the making
In my mind, the rise of a platoon of people with the toddler equivalent of political experience is not necessarily a guarantee for success, if they keep fighting on contents as the centre piece. Especially since one of the reasons why more seasoned politicians quicker than before are quitting, in droves, is the toll it is taking. Not just the traditional toll (hard job, relatively low pay, no social life), but increasingly the -digital media- fueled hate that they and their relatives have to deal with. The intensity ranges from people bearing torches terrorising their families to downright murder. This demonstrates how society as a whole is behaving. But the tone in the political arena often does not convey a very good role model. Cause and consequence can hardly be distinguished. Politics and society are entangled in an increasingly embarrassing tango of rudeness, and worse.
Whereas I am not automatically convinced that the contents of political decisions will suddenly improve with new puppet players, I do see another opportunity, in fact two-fold.
