First of three seminars in the Populism and Religion Seminar Series, autumn 2023. Shannon Bow O’Brien.

Donald Trump uses professional wrestling tactics as political techniques and deploys them into a world largely unfamiliar with wrestling norms. He encourages loyalty by utilizing theatrical tactics commonplace in this medium. While many people dismiss unconventional political activity, some political actors (past and present) use them effectively. Entertainment mediums have a significant impact on average citizens to help cultivate opinions and attitudes.

This talk focuses on the tools Donald Trump uses, how they were developed, and their influence. What can we learn from these tactics? How can spectacles persuade people? Are bread and circuses more salient than policy?

Shannon Bow O’Brien is an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin. She specializes in American Politics, focusing on the American Presidency and Political Development. She has published two books, Why Presidential Speech Locations Matter: Analyzing Speechmaking from Truman to Obama (2018) and Donald Trump and the Kayfabe Presidency: Professional Wrestling Rhetoric in the White House (2020). She received her doctorate in Political Science from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida.

 

About the Seminar Series

Formerly under the umbrella of Lund’s research platform on Christianity and Nationalism, the seminar series on populism and religion is now organized by the Lund University-based research project Beyond Truth and Lies: Conspiracy Theories, Post-Truth, and the Conditions of Public Debate. The series focuses on the theoretical, philosophical, and theological dimensions of populism, with special attention to how conspiracy theories intersect with populism.

Certain conceptions of politics – including political community, political processes, and political decision-making – characterize typical formulations of populist thought. A fundamental conviction of this seminar series is that we must investigate these conceptions if we want to engage in dialogue that goes beyond plain-sense descriptions of, or explanations for, facts, and which deeply addresses questions about how society is – and ought to be – organized. Conspiracy theories – including corresponding elements of culture that shape and are shaped by conspiracy theories – have become increasingly more public in their significance on politics, political decisions, and political movements. We welcome to our seminars a range of intellectually interested parties to discuss these matters, including senior and junior scholars, doctoral students, and beginners.

Seminars are in English, unless otherwise specified. Seminars are open to the public; you may attend by joining on Zoom.

Zoom: https://lu-se.zoom.us/j/62645329724

Meeting ID: 626 4532 9724

16h15–18h00, Swedish time [CEST]

https://www.beyondtruthandlies.ht.lu.se