The Rest Is Politics 158. Sunak's net zero culture war, Africa's 'coup belt', and a new strategy for the German far-right
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Aug 1, 2023 Rishi Sunak's contentious approach to net zero is stirring political unrest, blending environmental issues with cultural debates. The podcast explores the rise of social media manipulation in political campaigns, revealing tactics that blur genuine engagement and deception. Attention turns to Africa, where a wave of coups raises concerns about stability and international response, amid the troubling backdrop of economic struggle and rising terrorism. The discussion also contrasts the strategies of Germany's far-right as they navigate the increasingly complex climate politics landscape.
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Social Media Manipulation Offer
- Rory Stewart was approached by companies offering to manipulate social media to win elections.
- These companies claimed to use tactics like creating fake accounts and manipulating algorithms.
ULEZ Twitter Manipulation
- About 10% of accounts discussing ULEZ are genuine, while 90% are likely fake, amplifying the genuine ones.
- These fake accounts retweet genuine concerns to manipulate Twitter's algorithm and boost visibility.
Sunak's Anti-Environmental Strategy
- Rishi Sunak's anti-environmental stance, including reviewing speed limits, is seen as a political strategy.
- This strategy aims to appeal to working-class voters concerned about the cost of environmental policies like ULEZ.
