Politics hates a vacuum. If it isn't filled with hope, someone will fill it with fear.
I don't think you can understand Trump's relationship to his voters and how he gets away with what he gets away with, without understanding the pact between a lifestyle brand and its consumer base and how that really transformed the global economy in the 1990s.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote illustrates the intricate connection between a politician and their supporters, comparing it to the relationship between a lifestyle brand and consumers.
Naomi Klein's quote emphasizes the importance of understanding the symbiotic relationship between Donald Trump and his voter base, drawing a parallel to the dynamics between lifestyle brands and their consumers. It suggests that this relationship was pivotal in shaping not only political landscapes but also economic trends, particularly in the context of consumer culture that emerged in the 1990s. The quote implies that this dynamic enables certain political figures to navigate controversies successfully, much like brands maintain loyalty despite flaws.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about branding and politics, one might say, 'As Naomi Klein notes, understanding Trump's appeal is crucial in the context of modern consumerism.'
More from Naomi Klein
All quotes →Because it is such a huge crisis, because it puts us on a firm science-based deadline, it's a once-in-a-century opportunity to build a better society and address raging inequality, create huge numbers of jobs, rebuild our public infrastructure. But, we can't do it unless we break every single rule in the free-market playbook. Which is why the worst people in the world all deny climate change.
Terrorism doesn't just blow up buildings; it blasts every other issue off the political map. The spectre of terrorism - real and exaggerated - has become a shield of impunity, protecting governments around the world from scrutiny for their human rights abuses.
Everybody that's trying to get anything progressive done in this country knows that the biggest barrier is getting money out of politics.
I think I would say that there is absolutely no way to reconcile an austerity agenda with climate action. Our political class needs to understand that the fight against austerity and the fight for climate action are the same fight.
I think the fossil fuel industry is genuinely freaked out by the combination of the price collapse, the divestment movement, and that fact that renewable energy is getting so cheap so fast.
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