Political tools that have become accessories

With the term “political tools” we meant, until relatively recently at least, the methodology, planning and way of practicing politics by individuals and parties. However, it has now become clear that if you do not borrow “tools” from the entertainment world, it is difficult to penetrate the sphere of sensationalism, which overflows with posts garnering millions of followers.

Some recent examples: A month ago, during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the US, tech billionaire Elon Musk took to the stage wielding a chainsaw given to him by Argentinean President Javier Milei. The Trump supporter told those present that it was “the chainsaw for bureaucracy” (the symbolism of what followed: cuts, layoffs, reductions in government spending etc). The multipurpose tool was even engraved with the donor’s phrase “Viva la libertad, carajo!” (“Long live freedom, damn it!”). In early March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on a television show with a cross formed on his forehead, in honor of Catholic Christians’ Ash Wednesday.

The third example is from Greek current affairs. A few days ago, an MP from the nationalist Niki party vandalized an artist’s works at the National Gallery, judging that they offended the religious sentiments of Greek citizens. The result was that Niki increased its percentage by one point, from 2.5% to 3.5% in the next poll. That is why the party continues on the same (institutional, at least) path with lawsuits against the National Gallery over other works by other artists (!).

Chainsaws, religious symbols and vandalism are all in the service of online viewing. A show in which catharsis, patriotic sentiment, religious faith are exploited by the leading figures of the times and their (sad) imitators. They are political accessories of the new world that is being built methodically and owes a lot to the Trump-Musk duo.

Can they be dismissed as occasional theatrics? Not anymore. With the amplifying power of social media, the gates of the unpredictable are widening. The side effects are visible. When politics borrows the methodologies of mass spectacles, people may be amused or relieved or giggle awkwardly. And so, the external noise distracts from the internal turmoil, from the institutions that are irreparably deteriorating, while celebrating “Long live freedom, damn it!”