Comments on: Hope.Act.Change. 50% more or less http://www.kosmopolito.org/2008/10/30/hopeactchange-50-more-or-less/ The Blog with the European perspective Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:10:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Diana http://www.kosmopolito.org/2008/10/30/hopeactchange-50-more-or-less/#comment-286 Diana Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:29:59 +0000 http://www.kosmopolito.org/?p=320#comment-286 Unfortunately, I failed to follow on Romanian events lately. I say unfortunately cause Romanian politics have always been the funniest thing. But I did overhear that the PDL (i.e. President's party) is using as slogan "them with them, us with you". Seems a bit too obvious (and quite tacky, I might add) that they're using the common enemy strategy... again, making the enemy the rest of the political class and their economic clients. I am really wondering if this will work; somehow, I have a feeling it won't. One of the tricky things when trying to create an ingroup-outgroup dichotomy (you and the electors being a distinct group from the other candidates) is for the electors to actually feel that being in the same group as you is desirable. And it worked in 2004, for being in President Basescu's group meant being in a group that opposes ex-communists and supports market economy, democracy and other wonderful, great ideals. Today, the image of a standard member in President's group probably means doing questionable business with the state or being blond and ambitious or, most of all, causing a scandal and not doing anything constructive. I wouldn't want to be a part of such group and have such identity; I reckon few people would. However, this moment when voters become sick and tired of all existing options and stop voting for any is just perfect for the rise of a brand-new (or re-branded) political personality/party. And it should occur soon. I am so curious what it will be! Unfortunately, I failed to follow on Romanian events lately. I say unfortunately cause Romanian politics have always been the funniest thing.
But I did overhear that the PDL (i.e. President’s party) is using as slogan “them with them, us with you”. Seems a bit too obvious (and quite tacky, I might add) that they’re using the common enemy strategy… again, making the enemy the rest of the political class and their economic clients. I am really wondering if this will work; somehow, I have a feeling it won’t. One of the tricky things when trying to create an ingroup-outgroup dichotomy (you and the electors being a distinct group from the other candidates) is for the electors to actually feel that being in the same group as you is desirable. And it worked in 2004, for being in President Basescu’s group meant being in a group that opposes ex-communists and supports market economy, democracy and other wonderful, great ideals. Today, the image of a standard member in President’s group probably means doing questionable business with the state or being blond and ambitious or, most of all, causing a scandal and not doing anything constructive. I wouldn’t want to be a part of such group and have such identity; I reckon few people would.
However, this moment when voters become sick and tired of all existing options and stop voting for any is just perfect for the rise of a brand-new (or re-branded) political personality/party. And it should occur soon. I am so curious what it will be!

]]> By: Ralou http://www.kosmopolito.org/2008/10/30/hopeactchange-50-more-or-less/#comment-285 Ralou Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:51:48 +0000 http://www.kosmopolito.org/?p=320#comment-285 Hey, Look at the bright sight: we'll have a scape goat - the economic crisis! Blame it all on that ;) Seriously speaking, I don't see myself voting this year and niether my fellows. Hope has died a couple of years ago and the "change thing" doesn't work anymore. PS: Yes, life is a box of chocolate, except that we always get the dark bitter ones, 99% cocoa :) Hey,

Look at the bright sight: we’ll have a scape goat – the economic crisis! Blame it all on that ;)

Seriously speaking, I don’t see myself voting this year and niether my fellows. Hope has died a couple of years ago and the “change thing” doesn’t work anymore.

PS: Yes, life is a box of chocolate, except that we always get the dark bitter ones, 99% cocoa :)

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