Tactical politics
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Tactical politics deals with politics from a strategic perspective. Basically, it is the study of how politics are invented, and used to obtain some given objective. This article covers some of these techniques as seen in history and the present day. Politics and the related tactics can be found in nearly every corner of our civilization.
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Compromise
Two groups may compromise with each other to each attain partial success.
Discrediting
Voters will make decisions partially based on how they view the proponents and opponents of an issue. By discrediting the proponents of an issue, the issue can be defeated, despite sufficient support for the issue itself. Similarly, but to a lesser extent, an unpopular issue can be given a boost by discrediting the opponents of the issue.
Heroism
Just as products can be sold with celebrities, politics can be maneuvered with ideals and celebrities. One motivation to use such a tactic is the sheer success rate, and this tactic is common to both sides of many contests. An other motivation, is that success is based on the merits of the ideal, or the celebrity, not upon the issue. Hence, obscure and even unpopular objectives thus be achieved.
Religion
Historical examples include the Divine right of kings, the Salem witch trials and Savonarola's death. In the case of Savonarola, Machiavelli's correspondence with Rome helped bring about Savonarola's trial and death. However, few would cite Machiavelli as an adherent of Christianity. In fact, the term Machiavellian is used to convey a covert, and remorseless method. Yet, Machiavelli was able to exploit the Christian faith to bring about his objective of deposing Savonarola. Savonarola himself used the Bible to justify many acts, that today, would simply be considered crimes. Neither man was a very genuine or faithful adherent of the Christian Bible, but both men made effective use of it, as a lever, to advance their personal objectives.
Placating
Telling people they're smart, or beautiful, or that they are absolutely right has been a mainstay of marketing and politics since ancient times. Telling people otherwise is often the fastest, surest way of alienating them or even turning them hostile toward the speaker. On the other hand, placating people is one of the fastest, surest ways of selling ideas or positions, as the merit of the idea or position will be far less important than if the position were to be presented in a more rational fashion. This technique is often combined with discrediting in a push-pull arrangement:
- placate the target audience
- paint the competitions words or actions as an implication that the target audience is not smart, beautiful, etcetera.
This creates instant allegiance to the speaker, while creating hostility toward the speaker's opponent.
See also: Game theory