From political propaganda to Paddington Bear: The growing overlap of politics and entertainment
Photo Courtesy: The Presidential Office of Ukraine (via Wikimedia Commons)
On 24th February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Four days later, the entire world was talking about the fact that Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky voiced Paddington Bear.
For many in the West, the revelation of Mr Zelensky’s previous career in comedy was yet another notable example of the collision of politics and entertainment. In a society saturated with celebrity culture, it seemed only a matter of time. Over the last two decades, we’ve seen countless examples of this - see Arnold Schwarzenegger’s California governorship, Kanye West’s attempt for the American presidency, and Matt Hancock entering the world of reality television, to name but a few. All of these examples illustrate the increasing number of individuals blurring the lines between political and celebrity culture.
Entertainment and political propaganda
Importantly, close connections between the worlds of politics and entertainment are nothing new. In the past, authoritarian regimes in particular have exploited the enormous influence of the media. Leni Riefenstahl, a close confidante of Adolf Hitler, was acknowledged as both a major filmmaker of the 1930s and a vital cog in the Nazi propaganda machine. Her 1935 documentary Triumph of the Will is recognised as a pre-eminent propaganda film and was even described as one of cinema’s best documentaries in 2014.
This overlap really came to the fore, however, with the introduction of televised politics. As soon as the US presidential debates were first televised in 1960, for instance, they became a global phenomenon. Over time, these debates have been reduced more to media spectacles than meaningful political events, essentially serving as adverts for politicians who aim to sell both themselves and their policies to the public. Just last month, The Guardian’s Moira Donegal diminished the Republican presidential debate as a “televised temper tantrum”.
Entertainers-turned-politicians
Currently, overlaps in politics and entertainment are characterised by individuals, and the group of entertainers-turned-politicians has recruited some significant names over the years. From Ronald Reagan to Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jerry Springer to Szymon Hołownia, it seems celebrity culture feeds increasingly into modern politics. Likely the original example was Eva Peroń, an actress known as Evita, who forged a formidable political career for herself as a leader of the Argentine feminist movement, not to mention her position as first lady.
Today, Mr Zelensky sits at the head of this club, echoing his role on the show Servant of the People where he played a schoolteacher who unwittingly becomes the Ukrainian president. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mr Zelensky has had many admirers - his inspirational words, charming humility, and likely his association with Britain’s favourite marmalade-loving bear mean there is no shortage of articles analysing why he is a compelling leader. Originally elected as an unconventional political outsider, however, his background in entertainment has since proved more limiting. He has been criticised for his political inexperience, overestimation of his own charisma, and an inability to respond effectively when faced with criticism from the press. His achievements and failures as a wartime leader draw attention to the issues that may arise when celebrities take the plunge into politics and suddenly find themselves out of their depth.
Politicians-turned-entertainers
Interestingly, the British political landscape has seen this movement turned on its head, with a growing number of politicians-turned-entertainers, specifically disgraced politicians turning to television. Boris Johnson - who always had a personality better suited to reality TV than the House of Commons, frequently playing the fool and rambling about the likes of model buses and Peppa Pig World - will soon become a broadcaster for GB News. And who can forget Matt Hancock’s infamous stint on I’m A Celebrity - for which he was awarded third place - which is followed in this year’s season by the inclusion of Nigel Farage, former leader of the UKIP Party. This route into TV serves an obvious purpose: Mr Hancock himself explained he was “looking for a bit of forgiveness” after his adultery scandal and much criticised tenure as Health Secretary. It is also very possible that those more like Mr Johnson simply want to remain relevant in public consciousness.
Such examples show us that the overlap between politics and entertainment is more prominent than ever, which raises some important questions. What does the growing number of entertainers moving into politics tell us about modern culture, and about modern politics? Exactly how qualified for leadership are our favourite celebrities? And, conversely, should failed leaders be allowed to escape so seamlessly into show business, distancing themselves from accountability and the negative impact of their policies? The path between media and politics is increasingly well-trodden and it is increasingly imperative that we consider why this is the case, and what ramifications this will have for society.