Using Goffman’s analysis of life as a performance we can
understand why some people fail to convince us – they are essentially, bad
actors. This comes to the forefront within politics. Why do people seem to if
not distrust, then hate, Prime Minister Gillard? Tony Abbott may be an answer
to this. Abbott seems to have mastered the technique of shit-slinging while
maintaining his own facade. Our glimpses into his backstage contain images of
Speedos and ‘family values’. Gillard’s backstage contains her de facto partner
and reflects a somewhat hypocritical stance on gay marriage. Also, the
critiques of Abbott’s performance don’t seem to reflect the emptiness of his
criticisms and promises. Gillard’s performance whether it be her voice or costume
is under constant criticism.
Politics in not only
a front stage but a front stage that effects everyone else’s front and back
stages. The job of a politician is to run the country and continually convince
people that they are doing a good job at it. However, this can bring up issues in
what Goffman explained as expression versus action. As Goffman explains, the
people who do well at this ‘have the time and talent or talent to make it
apparent that they are performing well’ (Goffman, 1971, p.43). Julia has a job
to do and unlike Tony Abbott does have inexhaustible time to promote her image.
Opposition is fundamentally about image and getting the job (a job interview on
a massive scale). Once they are in power, though, there is work to be done.
Goffman, E 1971, ‘Performances’, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, Harmondsworth, Penguin,
pp.28-82
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