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American cultural influence has always been substantial, but since Trump and the hyper-interesting reality TV politics of recent years... it's on a hole new lev

by netcan 6y ago

American cultural influence has always been substantial, but since Trump and the hyper-interesting reality TV politics of recent years... it's on a hole new level. Here (in Ireland), the Brexit show (slightly receding) and Trump show have eclipsed local politics by a long shot. ROI politics are a distant fourth (after NI), in terms of affecting the local political conversation. It has become truly absurd. The average person can name far more politicians in the US or UK than locally.

Macha 6y ago
I think it depends on your social circles. Recent Irish politicians my experience is that most people know: Michael D, Leo Varadkar, Micheal Martin, Mary Lou, Simon Coveney, Phil Hogan, Paul Murphy, Ming Recent UK politicians my experience is that most people know: Boris Johnson, Theresa May, Bercow, Arlene Foster, Jeremy Corbyn Recent US politicians that most people know: Trump, Hilary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Joe Biden, Obama People who follow politics more closely might also know Irish politications like Simon Harris or Stephen Donnelly, Eamon Ryan or their local TDs, UK politicians like Gove, Rees-Mogg and Nicola Sturgeon, and US politicians like AOC or Mitch McConnell. And of course you get people who look way more closely into politics with a much broader view of things or much deeper for a specific country. But also in terms of potential impact on Ireland, the reality is that the order is: 1. COVID-19 2. Brexit 3. Anything else the coalition government is likely to get passed. So it's not surprising that Brexit and consequently UK politics have had such an outsized influence these past few years.
- netcan 6y ago
  There is a practical aspect to it, but a lot of it is pure drama. Yes, Brexit affects us. Brexit was also extremely dramaful. I agree that it depends on social circles, but IMO, Boris or Trump animate much stronger & livelier opinions than Leo or Martin. Moreover, they can probably identify their political positions on more issues.

by netcan 6y ago

Macha 6y ago

I think it depends on your social circles. Recent Irish politicians my experience is that most people know: Michael D, Leo Varadkar, Micheal Martin, Mary Lou, Simon Coveney, Phil Hogan, Paul Murphy, Ming Recent UK politicians my experience is that most people know: Boris Johnson, Theresa May, Bercow, Arlene Foster, Jeremy Corbyn Recent US politicians that most people know: Trump, Hilary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Joe Biden, Obama People who follow politics more closely might also know Irish politications like Simon Harris or Stephen Donnelly, Eamon Ryan or their local TDs, UK politicians like Gove, Rees-Mogg and Nicola Sturgeon, and US politicians like AOC or Mitch McConnell. And of course you get people who look way more closely into politics with a much broader view of things or much deeper for a specific country. But also in terms of potential impact on Ireland, the reality is that the order is: 1. COVID-19 2. Brexit 3. Anything else the coalition government is likely to get passed. So it's not surprising that Brexit and consequently UK politics have had such an outsized influence these past few years.

netcan 6y ago
There is a practical aspect to it, but a lot of it is pure drama. Yes, Brexit affects us. Brexit was also extremely dramaful. I agree that it depends on social circles, but IMO, Boris or Trump animate much stronger & livelier opinions than Leo or Martin. Moreover, they can probably identify their political positions on more issues.