Politics and Crowds

Crowds don't impress me. In fact, I'll leave a good sporting event early just to avoid the aftermath in the parking lot. I also have a great respect for personal space, so the thought of rubbing up against a bunch of smelly strangers as a sacrifice for just about anything--no matter how desirable--isn't worth it. As such, the media reports of Obama's huge crowds weren't particularly interesting or impressive to me. That is until I read this article: Obama and the Politics of Crowds by Fouad Ajami, professor of Middle Eastern studies at Johns Hopkins*. It is fascinating--maybe even more so now that the election is over. The author draws a comparison between the huge crowds of "worshippers" drawn to see and hear politicians/leaders in third world countries, especially in the middle east, whom they view as their saviors--men who they believe will set the world right. It's all based on emotion. They think this charismatic, strong leader will deliver them from whatever injustice or malady with which they are burdened at the moment.

This isn't a common thing in American politics, according to Ajami. It is, however, very common elsewhere in the world and there are lessons to be learned which he very clearly explains.

I won't summarize the whole article since it's short and clearly done to begin with, but one thing in particular strikes me which I will comment on. This is the notion that Obama is a blank slate, upon which people of all different walks of life can project their own beliefs, desires, and hopes. Obama himself discussed this in his own memoirs and Ajami again makes this reference here. The fact that Obama admitted he is bound to disappoint is also pointed out in this article. It seems even more relevant now that he has won and seems to want to move to the "center" on certain issues. The other issue really interesting to me is what Rahm Emanuel wrote about strategies for running as a democrat--focus on emotion, and charisma, not intellect and fact. It seems these crowds are all based on emotion. I've heard so many people say their own friends and relatives voted for Obama even though they don't agree with him on policy. Again, all emotion.

Ajami says "...a leader does not have to say much, or be much. The crowd is left to its most powerful possession -- its imagination." Obama seems to have mastered this notion.

Fascinating, creepy, and slightly disappointing as an American.

*Credit to Emily for referring me to this article:)