Charm: How Magnetic Personalities Shape Global Politics

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Synopsis
The utilization—and weaponization—of charm in contemporary global politicsPolitics is a site of performance, and contemporary politicians often perform the role of a regular person—perhaps someone we would like to have a beer with. They win elections not because of the elevated rhetorical performances we often associate with charisma (&“ask not what your country can do for you&”), but because of something more ordinary and relatable. The everyday magic spell that politicians cast using mass and social media is what sociologist Julia Sonnevend calls &“charm.&” In this engaging and enlightening book, Sonnevend explores charm (and the related &“charm offensive&”) as a keyword of contemporary global politics. Successful political leaders deploy this form of personal magnetism—which relies on proximity to political tribes and manifests across a variety of media platforms—to appear authentic and accessible in their quest for power.Sonnevend examines the mediated self-representations of a set of liberal, illiberal, and authoritarian political leaders, past and present: New Zealand&’s Jacinda Ardern, Hungary&’s Viktor Orbán, Iran&’s Mohammad Javad Zarif, North Korea&’s Kim Jong-un, and Germany&’s Angela Merkel. She considers how charm (or the lack of it) is wielded as a political tool, and the ways charm is weaponized to shape the international image of a country, potentially influencing decisions about military aid, trade, and even tourism. Sonnevend argues that charm will shape the future of democracy worldwide, as political values will be increasingly embodied by mediated personalities. These figures will rise and fall, often fading into irrelevance; but if we do not understand charm&’s political power, we cannot grasp today&’s fragile political moment.
Copyright:
2024

Book Details

Book Quality:
Publisher Quality
Book Size:
208 Pages
ISBN-13:
9780691230344
Related ISBNs:
9780691231471, 9780691230337
Publisher:
Princeton University Press
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
Princeton University Press
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
History, Nonfiction, Psychology, Social Studies, Philosophy, Politics and Government, Sociology
Submitted By:
Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

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