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Protests against victim cult: How politicians manipulate voters!
Political strategies for voter activation raise questions about economic policy: opportunities, challenges and long-term effects.
Protests against victim cult: How politicians manipulate voters!
In the political landscape, the strategy often pursued is to portray voters as victims in order to gain their support. This tactic often targets dissatisfied groups of voters who have a clear identity. The victim narrative can have significant consequences, particularly in economic policy. That's what they report Trade magazine “Fuw”, that simple solutions to complex problems arising from this representation often make the situation worse.
A particularly striking example of this tactic can be found in India, where local politicians are proposing minimum employment quotas for locals. However, high quotas could affect companies' productivity and competitiveness. In addition, such measures result in competitive disadvantages when companies have to compete internationally. Another aspect is that local companies may create fewer jobs because they exclude less skilled migrants.
Victim discourse in Germany
The view of victims also has profound social implications. Helga Pollak-Kinsky, a Holocaust survivor and contemporary witness, is critical of the focus on the victim story. She advocates for more recognition of positive experiences and addresses the great expectations placed on victims. These expectations can lead to problematic perceptions, as victims are often associated with innocence and moral superiority.
Effects of the victim perspective
The change in society's expectations of victims, who are often perceived as humble and suffering, cannot be overlooked. Critics argue that this focus on the victim can lead to a passive attitude. Jan van Dijk, a victimologist, argues that Western culture oppresses victims and leaves them little room for their anger. The feeling of being identified as a victim can therefore impair one's own ability to act.
In economic policy, as well as in the refugee debate, the problem becomes clear when the “victim” narrative is often in the foreground instead of solutions or positive approaches. From the perspective of German culture The potential lies not only in taking the victim's story into account, but also in actively promoting skills and opportunities for those who find themselves in difficult situations.