New Books in Intellectual History

David Wiles, "Democracy, Theatre and Performance: From the Greeks to Gandhi" (Cambridge UP, 2024)

Apr 13, 2025
David Wiles, Emeritus Professor of Drama at the University of Exeter, delves into the intriguing intersection of democracy and theatre. He discusses how oratory and performance have been essential to democratic movements from ancient Greece to Gandhi. Wiles argues that political authenticity is a complex illusion, often requiring hypocrisy. By examining historical examples from the Puritan Revolution to modern populism, he challenges listeners to rethink the role of theatre in shaping political discourse and civic identity.
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INSIGHT

Democracy as Theatre

  • Democracy must be understood as a form of theatre where politicians act to engage audiences emotionally and politically.
  • Calls for absolute sincerity in politics ignore the performative nature essential to persuasion and leadership.
INSIGHT

Politics Always Theatrical

  • Politics has always contained elements of theatricality and performance, not just modern social media age.
  • Ancient Athenian democracy relied on public performances to prepare citizens for debate and decision-making.
INSIGHT

Plato's Critique of Rhetoric

  • Plato distrusted rhetoric because politicians manipulated truth and emotions instead of seeking it.
  • He preferred authoritarian control over democratic debate due to theatre's disruptive impact on social stability.
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