Lakoff: Politics in Metaphors

The Persuaders offers an interesting approach to the way we perceive society, specifically, the way the media makes us perceive American ideals. This creative, cynical, and rather depressing look at our money driven world propels us to rethink what we as American's want. Since it is hard today to say that we are proud of ourselves as a nation, at least, to the masses of people who are opposed to the incumbent government, we, or I, must change our perspective of how we view ourselves. In other words, we as a nation need to be more self-reflective. I say this because if we sincerely wish, or hope, for change we must consider the numerous outlets available to make this country better (better meaning more tolerant, less selfish and more selfless, less worldly and more compassionate, and, above all, less egotistical). A few things need to happen before we can change this world set apart by its vibrant array of colors and its overwhelmingly competitive make-up. First, the need for individuality needs to be suppressed. According to Lazere, if we all were perfectly unique individuals with perfectly unique and different ideals then we would be in mere chaos. The notion that our ideas may reflect others and may not truly be exclusive, then, would perhaps calm any uncertainties we have about government or authority. If we as individuals are able to see that each one of us are crucial parts to making this nation work then it may work after all. In other words, though people have varying degrees of struggle, no one person's struggle is more important than another. This essentially breeds community; instead of the seemingly sole ideal that we can only seek progression for ourselves and nobody else, we see that an accord can be reached, one where we can work together instead of competing fiercely against each other.

These ideas are very idealistic, and as a skeptic, they will probably never be attained. However, it is okay to hope for something like this, and this may come about if we put our ideas to work. That is, if we listen to people like George Lakoff who suggests we examine our nation not by what its ideals are, but how we go about acquiring those ideals in a more meaningful way. Lakoff uses metaphors brilliantly when he talks about politics. As a former linguist, he is able to step out of the realm of political specifics and look at politics as it functions in society. His metaphors are much like structuralist tactics in literary criticism. For example, the theorist would argue that it is not what is inside a narrative that is particularly important, it is, however, the way that small idea functions as a part of the larger work or all-encompassing idea. Though it is obvious that Lakoff is a liberal democrat, he is able, I think, to be sensitive toward conservative ideals. He looks at the various techniques republicans use, such as the father figure as moral regulator, and how they use that in their political campaigns (Lakoff, 9). He understands that simply attacking one party will not accomplish anything. People are unwilling to accept that sort of brutality. Instead there needs to be an explicit stance, not just idea, that will spill out into other areas of political, moral, and social standards.