Intelligence Squared
Why the Political World's a Stage
Feb 12, 2024
In this insightful conversation, sociologist Richard Sennett, renowned for his studies on urban life, teams up with Philip Collins, former chief speechwriter for Tony Blair. They explore the fascinating intersection of performance and politics, discussing how political rhetoric mirrors the arts. Sennett examines the limits of charisma, contrasting fleeting figures like Trump with more enduring leaders like Churchill. The duo also reflects on how personal identity and societal roles shape our daily performances, suggesting life itself is a theatrical stage.
49:57
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Quick takeaways
- Performance in the arts mirrors and influences other areas of life, such as politics and everyday business.
- Charisma in performance can be both inherent and a learned skill, with performers creating a version of themselves that aligns with their true nature.
Deep dives
The Role of Performance in Society
The podcast explores the role of performance in various aspects of society, such as politics and everyday life. The guest, sociologist Richard Senet, discusses his new book that examines how performance in the arts reflects and influences other areas of life. He highlights the performative skills of politicians like Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, noting how their gestures and speech patterns resemble those of musicians. Senet also examines the idea of complicity between performers and their audiences, exploring the willingness of spectators to be seduced and the complex relationship between performance and belief.
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