Question

1. Consider recent (this century) interactions between politics and
   1. entertainment,
   2. advertising,
   3. social media.

Identify 2 trends you have observed in each area. Explain why you believe the trends are generally positive or negative.

Answer 1

( a ). In the recent times we have observed the coming together of politics and entertainment industry for various reasons. The main motive of politicians is to use the fame and stardom of people in entertainment industry to increase their vote base and reach to the people to work upon their image.

An example could be a praise for a movie by a political leader for the actor's role and presentation in the movie.

Political commentators believe this association of actors and political leaders bodes well for both of them. This coming together is not one way transaction. Even the actors may get tax relief and other perks for befriending people in politics.

I am of the opinion that this trend is harmful to the people. Politics should be separated from entertainment industry. On one hand we have seen that entertainment is aimed at uniting the people in broad terms, politics is generally based on dividing the society as seen in most of the democracies in the world.

( c ) I certainly believe there hasn't been any bigger change in this century than the arrival of social media amongst the masses and its prominence in today's world. Politics has become too close to be separated from social media. Almost all the political campaigns are considered incomplete without social media.

However the sad thing is that social media rather than uniting people has increased extremism and hatred among people. This tool of spreading hatred to win a section of masses has given political leaders an easy way of staying in news by using divisive languages to win over their own segregated community.

I think this trend is most negative, however unfortunately there isn't any practical solution in near term to separate politics from social media.