New Books in Political Science David Wiles, "Democracy, Theatre and Performance: From the Greeks to Gandhi" (Cambridge UP, 2024)
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Apr 13, 2025 David Wiles, Emeritus Professor of Drama at the University of Exeter, explores how democracy resembles theatre in its performative aspects. He argues that historical orators shaped political realities, while politicians often wear the mask of hypocrisy for the greater good. Wiles delves into the influences of ancient Athens and revolutionary movements, linking culture with politics. He provocatively suggests that calls for authenticity can't effectively counter modern populism, encouraging a reflection on the role of theatricality in both historical and contemporary democracy.
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Theatricality of Politics
- Politics has always been theatrical.
- Theatricality involves opponents debating on the same stage, engaging in emotional arguments and assessing rationalizations driven by emotions.
Greek Theatre and Democracy
- Greek theatre trained citizens to discern good arguments from bad and understand how emotions drive rationalizations.
- This skill was crucial for participatory democracy where citizens made important decisions.
Plato's View on Rhetoric and Theatre
- Plato disliked rhetoric, associating it with manipulation rather than truth.
- He saw theatre as disruptive and unsuitable for a stable society controlled by intellectuals.