Friday essay: we’re all ‘political’ now – but can that lead to real change?
In our age of ‘hyperpolitics’, what does meaningful change look like? Anton Jäger’s buzzy new book has some answers – but could go harder on neoliberalism.
In the summer of 2024, in Carindale, Queensland, a young woman with a talent for applying eyelash extensions found herself immersed in a political discussion at her salon. She was educated, struggling financially, and deeply opposed to vaccination. Yet, she passionately supported Donald Trump, finding solace in a narrative that brought order to her chaotic life.
This monologue about the end of liberal democracy struck a chord with her, as she navigated a world filled with uncertainty: lockdowns, financial strain, unfulfilling work, mistrust of institutions, and an affinity for online spaces. The woman's worldview was shaped by various factors, from the products she consumed to the people she surrounded herself with.
However, she lacked any stable institution – political parties, unions, or civic associations – to channel her political energy into real power. This highlights the central theme of Anton Jäger's book Hyperpolitics, which explores the current state of politics as being inescapable yet rarely lasting. Jäger argues that our current world has shifted from mass politics, which dominated the 20th century, to hyperpolitics, where politics invades every aspect of our lives but lacks durable institutions to organize collective action.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
