The Bunker – News without the nonsense The ten most influential people of the 21st Century… so far – Part Two: The Final Five
Jan 3, 2025
Guests Alex von Tunzelmann, a historian and author, and Rafael Behr, a Guardian columnist, join BBC veteran Gavin Esler to discuss the ten most influential figures of the 21st century. They explore the resurgence of the Great Man theory as individual leaders shape politics today. The conversation touches on Xi Jinping's distinct governance style, Trump's political comeback, and the rise of influencer culture with figures like Kim Kardashian. They also analyze the shifting American voter demographics and their effects on democracy.
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Farage's Influence
- Nigel Farage, despite rarely holding a parliamentary seat, is the most influential British politician of his generation.
- He achieved this through media manipulation and exploiting anxieties outside of traditional political structures.
Nationalism's Paradox
- Nigel Farage's nationalism, while wrapped in patriotism, has weakened the UK and created divisions.
- This paradox is typical of nationalism, which defines a narrow "us" and creates internal enemies.
Kardashian's Empire
- Kim Kardashian built a $1.7 billion empire by monetizing every aspect of her life.
- Starting with a sex tape and leveraging reality TV, she transformed memoirism into an industry.