Pelopor.nl

US Elections: intellectualism beats populism.

In this respect the US of A is still the one and only superpower: all the world is watching todays elections closely.

Barack Obama is likely to be the winner. And if this happens to be tomorrow’s result, not only the majority of the Americans but the majority of the world will be happy.

Some time ago an intermittent but excellent blogger – Dennis Matanda – wrote that Obama might stumble about one of the two worst allegations someone running for an public office may be confronted with: that of being elitist ( the other one is  being racist).

Indeed this phenomenon exists and is not exclusively American.  Heads of state and prime ministers in election times usually do their utmost to present themselves as John Q. Public or even Joe Six-pack.  Their daily mantra is: relate to the common people. Well, eh, look at Sarah Palin. Or, in Europe, the abominable Italian prime minister Berlusconi. Populism most of the time pays off. Occasional intellectuals in office would be a blessing, but their chances usually are slim. Because very intelligent, very smart, very educated, very sophisticated politicians are being perceived as lofty, snobbish or like eggheads.

But it’s different this time. Helped by the shambles the economy is in, Obama seems to have found the solution. To be intellectual and get yourself elected notwithstanding, you better be handsome and exciting.

The new president doesn’t look like an  egghead, like Adlai Stevenson did for instance. That helps. Because Adlai Stevenson lost, and Barack Obama will win.

The successor of George W. isn’t pretty boring, like Al Gore was in 2000.  Obama is exciting and his looks help. Because Gore lost – actually was ripped off- which will not happen to Obama.

So fortunately populism will be beaten – at least this time.

Fortunately, because populists are dangerous. They pretend to have a superior communication with the common people. They lie.  What they do is offering a simple diagnosis for very complex problems and simple solutions where complicated and time consuming measures are needed. They create scapegoats and look for very tough interventions. They centralize power and willingly create social divides.

The phenomenon manifested itself at  a rally of the McCain and Palin campaign. Though McCain should be praised  that he defended his political opponent against the innuendo about terrorism and hidden religious agenda’s. “Fear and loathing in Arizona” was only a short and relatively innocent example of what might happen if the wrong people should take over.

So I prematurely congratulate the Americans on their splendid choice: an intellectual in the White House – this time they did send populism Alaska style into the bushes.