Slander as a System of Collective Representation: 9th Democratic Debate

This post is meant to look at a system of collective representation through a grander scale than just Biden and Bernie, and rather look at the system of collective representation in which they existed during this debate.

The ninth democratic debate was both tenacious and pugnacious. At times it was hard to determine whether the remaining candidates were looking to better their own campaign or if they were there to damage the others. But how much blame do these candidates deserve for their dividing behavior and slander at such a crucial point for both the electoral process and for the state of our nation? Or was this behavior on stage a reflection of what audiences really want. Oftentimes and specifically now, the chaos of actors bantering, audiences deciphering, and the media and several other analysts throwing in their two cents can make these immensely symbolically rooted debates feel shallow and illusory. The politics of today makes it increasingly difficult to find any symbolic meaning, let alone a system of collective representation, and the ninth democratic debate was no exception. 

Defined as a group of symbols and images that share common meaning amongst a group or groups of people, systems of collective representation help us convey both ideas and values while creating social solidarity. In this post I will work to highlight systems of collective representation in the Ninth Democratic Debate from Las Vegas on February 19th, 2020.    

The most notable system of collective representation is unlike the typical systems. Unlike constellations and wedding rings this system is more encoded and perhaps more ingrained into daily life than the previously noted systems. Insults were the most prominent system of collective representation seen that night in Las Vegas. The binary codes of civil society that specify the characteristics of social actors, relationships, and institutions come out of the political universe (Mast, 12). The symbolic world of politics was both ephemeral and lasting, this system represents talking points which are meant to transcend into daily life and be reiterated through conversation. The insults that night in Vegas were certainly meant to carry through the walls of that arena and into the homes of Americans. It was a battle field in which bullets were replaced by words, something that all of us are much more familiar with. 

This system is both complex and simple in that it is an obvious tactic but its implications may be deeper and grander than an audience member may understand. Instead of any candidate trying to create an image of themselves being draped in the American Flag, they fought to make every candidate besides themselves seem as the last person that would drape themselves in the American flag. Characteristic of politics in recent years, it feels the days of kissing babies and shaking hands has transformed into snarky remarks and media slander.

Will this trend continue as a lasting form of collective representation? One would hope the American political scene will work to take on a more positively connoted system.

Citations

Mast, Jason L. 2012. The Performative Presidency Crisis and Resurrection during the Clinton 

Years. Cambridge, Ma: Cambridge University Press.