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Always Quote by Stuart Hall

“Politicians always think they know what people feel. It's a fallacy, because there is no such thing as 'the people.' It is a discursive device for summoning the people that you want. You're constructing the people, you're not reflecting the people.” quote by Stuart Hall
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“Politicians always think they know what people feel. It's a fallacy, because there is no such thing as 'the people.' It is a discursive device for summoning the people that you want. You're constructing the people, you're not reflecting the people.”

Stuart Hall

About This Quote

Source Book: Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices, Stuart Hall, 1997

People are not a monolithic entity; politicians fabricate a collective identity to legitimize power, ignoring diverse individual experiences.

In simple terms: Politicians create a false "people" to control narratives.

Key Takeaway

Question assumptions about collective identity.

Themes

politics identity power media representation

Mood

critical analytical

Type

theoretical political

When to use this quote

  • election campaigns
  • policy debates
  • public speeches
  • media analysis

Key Concepts

social construction discourse legitimacy

Questions to Reflect On

  • Who defines "the people" in your community?
  • How does this construction affect marginalized groups?
A Different Perspective

Oversimplifies complex societies into a single voice.

4.3 out of 5 (8 ratings)

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