Influence and Interference: Decoding Politics and Power with Drew Biemer - Episode 46
Feb 2, 2024
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Drew Biemer, a strategic management and communications professional, discusses dark money in US politics, interference in other countries' elections, psychological micro-targeting using social media, and the potential impact of TikTok on elections. They also share cultural recommendations and discuss their current reading habits.
The US presidential nomination process involves both primaries and caucuses, with New Hampshire's primary being particularly crucial.
Different funding mechanisms in US political campaigns include individual contributions, PACs, super PACs, and issue advocacy organizations.
Micro-targeting through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok allows for personalized content and messaging, raising concerns about data security and foreign influence.
Deep dives
Overview of US Presidential Nomination Process
The presidential nomination process in the US involves a calendar of cascading nomination contests in different states. There are two primary types of nomination contests: a primary and a caucus. In primary contests, people go to the polls and vote for the candidate they want. In caucus contests, people attend town meetings, listen to campaign surrogates, and vote. The first-in-the-nation primary in New Hampshire is particularly important as candidates have to personally engage with voters and compete for unaffiliated votes. The nomination process allows candidates to build momentum and requires them to file in all 50 states individually.
Influence of Money in US Elections
Political campaigns in the US rely on different mechanisms for funding. Individuals can contribute money to candidates directly, subject to contribution limits and full disclosure. Political action committees (PACs) collect money from donors and disperse it to candidates they support. Super PACs, on the other hand, can take unlimited money from various sources but are not allowed to coordinate directly with campaigns. Issue advocacy organizations also play a role, while they cannot endorse specific candidates, they can educate voters on key issues. It is within these organizations that the infiltration of foreign money becomes a concern, as nonprofit organizations are not required to disclose their donors.
The Rise of Micro-Targeting and Psychological Warfare
The advent of micro-targeting through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok has allowed for tailored messages to specific demographics. Algorithms track user data, allowing for personalized content and targeted messaging. Behavioral science and psychological warfare come into play as algorithms curate content to create addiction and influence behavior. The rise of TikTok introduces additional complexities given its global reach and potential for foreign influence. Concerns arise regarding data security, information warfare, and the impact of algorithms on mental health. The influence of these platforms in elections and political discourse remains a topic of interest.
The Global Impact of TikTok
TikTok's growing popularity worldwide raises questions about its influence on elections, both in the West and globally. Its algorithms and content delivery raise concerns about data privacy and targeted messaging. TikTok's impact on elections is still unfolding, as different countries have varying campaign finance laws and levels of control. However, its potential to disseminate narratives, influence public opinion, and facilitate information warfare cannot be overlooked. The cultural reach of American pop culture through platforms like TikTok is also notable, highlighting the interconnectedness of global audiences and the potential for cross-cultural influence.
Culture, Elections, and Intelligence
Culture plays a significant role in elections and intelligence analysis, shaping political discussions and opinions. Understanding the cultural context and narratives surrounding candidate campaigns is vital for effective intelligence assessments. Culturally diverse teams and perspectives significantly contribute to intelligence analysis, ensuring a holistic understanding of political dynamics. Furthermore, culture influences the topics and areas of interest in intelligence, fostering diverse analysis beyond mainstream issues. Exploring lesser-covered conflicts or unique military units provides valuable insights and expands intelligence knowledge. Recognizing the impact of culture on elections and intelligence allows for more comprehensive analysis and understanding.
Welcome back to the Grey Dynamics podcast! Today we have Drew Biemer back with us again. Drew is a strategic management and communications professional with 2 decades of experience in governmental, public and civil affairs. His prior experience includes congressional and gubernatorial campaign management, legislative staffing, executive protection, geopolitical risk management, investigations, intelligence, and public information. We spoke about how dark money gets into the political process, how nation-states interfere in third-world countries' elections, targeting using social media and much more.
8:14 - How dark money gets into the US electoral process
18:22 - How corporations interfere in the US political process
24:43 - Interference in other countries elections
28:40 - Psychological micro-targeting using social media
36:42 - The effect TikTok could have on US and other elections
48:28 - Ahmed and Drew’s experience concerning elections abroad
53:40 - Cultural recommendations
59:14 - Cultural observations
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