In an era where technology and communication shape our perception of global events, the impulsive declaration of Senator Marco Rubio on the South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool underlines a disturbing evolution of our political landscape. The Trump explosion in political discourse – marked by the use of information gods like Twitter – brings out fundamental questions about the very nature of governance and democracy.
The essence of this phenomenon lies in what could be described as “diplomacy 2.0”, where tweets, these strands of instant thoughts, turn into real political declarations. While the traditional framework of international relations was based on more sustained and thoughtful exchanges, the speed with which a simple sentence can now upset the course of foreign policy is astounding. This paradigm shift, orchestrated by leaders such as Donald Trump and reinforced by the infrastructure of major social platforms, poses the crucial question: is the management of foreign affairs really become a show, in defiance of the standards and protocols that guided international relations?
### The spectacle of politics: an erosion of diplomacy
The concept of spectacle, as defined by Guy Debord, finds a resonance marked in contemporary politics. Unlike the Empires of yesteryear, where the representation of power took on a form of grandeur and gravity – from imperial parades to fiery speeches at the top of a platform – modern politics is anchored in a format where instantaneity prevails over depth. Paradoxically, while the old dynasties took care to create stories to glorify their reign, the digital age seems to be satisfied with desensitizing superficiality.
Studies show that the influence of social networks on political commitment is significant. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 70 % of Twitter users say that the tweets of political figures make them change their perspective on a subject. Far from being reflected speech vectors, these messages often become delay bombs, capable of triggering crises at any time. The dynamics of virality, which encourages to respond within a reduced time, replaces the dialogues reflected and developed by emotional reactions.
### The tangible consequences of a performance policy
One of the most worrying aspects of this phenomenon is contempt for the material consequences of ephemeral declarations. When Trump, for example, used Twitter to announce an immigration policy, the repercussions in the field have been immediate: separate families, destabilized companies and a climate of generalized fear among immigrants. Diplomatic commitments, which should normally arise from a meticulous and concerted process, take an impulsive turn here, often leaving institutions and populations in disarray.
To put these observations in perspective, let us examine the figures: according to a report from the Congress Budget Budget, the United States’s foreign aid budget has undergone significant reductions under the Trump administration, jeopardizing millions of beneficiaries around the world. These cuts are not only figures in a table; They embody lives affected by a radical and often absurd change in governance.
### Reinvention of political engagement: an emerging necessity
While the spectacle dominated the political sphere, a simultaneous disillusionment has settled in many citizens, who find themselves trapped in a buckle of responsiveness. To counter this trend, it is imperative that we redefine the way in which we interact with political discourses. Instead of being simple passive spectators, we must claim an active role:
1. ** Promote civic education **: by strengthening civic education from an early age, we can prepare a generation of critical and informed citizens.
2. ** Encourage constructive dialogues **: Create forums where political discussions can take place without the pressure of virality, promoting critical reflection.
3. ** Require a responsibility of the media **: by insisting that the press organs maintain a rigor in their reporting, we can give less importance to political performance and more to the realities they cause.
### Conclusion
Faced with this drift towards governance by show, it is never too late to claim our place as informed and committed citizens. The urgency is to restore a balance where political decisions are carefully taken, taking into account not only their resonance in the digital world but also their real impacts on individuals and societies. The future of our democracy depends on our ability to overcome the spectacle and rediscover the substance. This is the real challenge, but also the opportunity to redefine what can be governance in the 21st century.