Opinion: Politics as a Reality Show

People are passionate about politics, and it has created a divide between the ideological left and right. But what's the real reason?

If you looked through online posts for a reality TV series and posts about politics in the West (whether Canada or America), they actually wouldn’t seem all that dissimilar. People share their opinions about the characters, what they’ve done or said, and whether they believe that’s right or wrong. They’ll defend their favorites and criticize the ones they don’t like.

Let’s be honest. The average person doesn’t really know even the tiniest amount about how countries actually work—the laws and processes involved, the reasons for one decision or another. Things like national economies and global politics are enormously complex subjects that take years of study to understand completely. However, the average citizen still has to make a decision on whom they believe will make the best decisions in these matters for their country—who can balance all the different issues that face the country for the best.

People running for office, of course, face a complex task themselves. They need votes to win. They have to find a way to appeal to the public. The general public may believe that something is the biggest issue in the country, while the candidate may understand that there are other issues. However, they also understand that trying to convince all these people of the reality is going to be an extremely hard, if not impossible, task. Another scenario is that the candidate themselves may not even understand the full implications of everything.

This is nothing new. Politicians have always had to balance how to get their point across of what they perceive as “right” with actually getting votes. The problem right now is that overly dramatic, divisive politics is what is getting votes.

This over-the-top drama is something that Donald Trump seems to have pioneered, but it appears to be spreading in the political sphere. And this should come as no surprise, as President Trump himself once had his own reality TV show. People have responded to it the same way they respond to characters in a reality TV show. It generates views, clicks, and, most importantly, votes. It also, unfortunately, divides in the same way reality TV divides viewers.

So, how do we stop the drama and make sure we select the right people for the job? The answer is not some kind of exam to be given the right to vote—or to allow experts to select candidates. If history has taught us anything, it’s that consolidating power in a few leads to corruption in nearly every instance. The power must always remain with the people.

I believe the answer lies in campaign reform. A structured, standardized campaign format might help. For example, candidates might be required to post their platform using a standardized template that allows voters to easily see and understand the policies involved, sharing references for more information on specific issues if voters wish to see it. Mandated question periods at specific intervals, etc. This is a novel idea; however, it would likely depend on both sides agreeing on the format.

The voting public must take some of the responsibility here as well. This is not a reality show or a popularity contest. Voters should focus on the issues at hand and take some responsibility to educate themselves on the issues facing their country. The blame for the rise in dramatic, divisive politics lies primarily with the voter. Hours upon hours in front of the TV have made us receptive to this, which has encouraged more of it from politicians.

We have to always remember that we’re all human. For the most part, we are all trying our best. That person who seems selfish may have had a very different experience than you and probably doesn’t see the issues from exactly the same perspective as you do. Talk to each other. Be open-minded. Make your country better—not worse.