The Spectacularization of Politics

MA in Public and Corporate Communication

Political Communication

Elzbieta Sutkowska

THE SPECTACULARIZATION OF POLITICS

To understand better the word spectacularization, I would like to explain two words:

spectacle and spectacular. In general, spectacle refers to an event that

is memorable for the appearance it creates. Spectacle operates in two contexts

simultaneously. On the one hand, it refers to high culture (drama, movies)

performances where the draw for an audience is the impressive visual

accomplishment. On the other hand, it refers to low cultural shows operating in a folk

environment. These can range from the freak show to folk drama to tablieau and

beast-plays. The two worlds have always interacted to a lesser or greater degree,

with the folks spectacle often being rewritten into a literary spectacle, whether for

humor or not. The word spectacular means beautiful in a dramatic and eye-catching

way, something striking, picturesque, eye-catching, breathtaking, arresting, glorious.

In other words we can say that is an event such as a pageant or musical, produced

on a large scale and with striking effects, like extravaganza, display, spectacle,

exhibition, performance, presentation, show.

I think that some of the politicians confused Parliament with Theater and they play

their roles not always right to their positions.

Up until a couple of years ago, one businessman from the eastern Polish city

of Lublin who made his money in the vodka business, had become an afterthought.

It was generally accepted that he would never be able to make it into parliament.

I will show you example of very famous and controversial man Janusz Palikot.

Janusz Marian Palikot is a Polish politician, activist and businessman. He studied

philosophy and became wealthy as a businessman who dealt with crates and distilled

beverages (dealt with international trade with tax havens in the Polish privatization

period). He is an entrepreneur and former co-owner of...