politics

Bread and Circuses – Forget Cicero

September 27, 2004

With George Bush and John Kerry hunkered down with aides preparing for Thursday night’s opening debate, here’s a newspaper article (subscription required) that we hope nobody involved sees.

In his ongoing examination of voters and discourse in this campaign, the Austin American-Statesman’s Bill Bishop concludes this about televised politics: “Viewers have an almost primeval attraction to conflict, be it gangster shoot-’em-ups, nightly cable `shout shows’ or political discourse.”

Our modern form of democratic debate, however, does more to increase division among voters than to educate, enticing viewers with stylized conflict that simultaneously causes them to think politicians are wackos and politics are out of whack.

It’s a declining spiral, with viewers attracted to close-ups of people shouting but drawn most to shouting with which they already agree.

“People like to watch TV that’s arousing,” says Annie Lang, a professor of telecommunications at Indiana University. “But what they remember is the negative event, not the details. And what they remember is, boy, those politicians are jerks.”

While cooler heads are urging the news media not to hone in on the hype and hyperbole of Thursday’s season opener, it’s likely the candidates’ handlers are right now debating just how civil a tone to maintain. If you harbor any hope that Thursday may indeed be classic point-and-thrust oratory by two well-trained debaters, don’t hold your breath.

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Bishop concludes by quoting Tom Leitch, a film studies professor at the University of Delaware: “What people want from television isn’t a civics lesson. They want bread and circuses. Unfortunately, the things that make for the best television also tend to sour people on the [political] process.”

Thus does the dog eat its own tail — to attract ratings and readers. That’s all well and good — until Fido finishes with the tail and starts devouring his own haunches.

–Susan Q. Stranahan

Susan Q. Stranahan wrote for CJR.