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An exploration of scholarly works, Dream: Reimaging Progressive Politics in the Age of Fantasy by Stephen Duncombe that outlines the developments in the social sphere in the United States indicates that enlightenment and empiricism dictate the nature of politicking in America. The author is citing the empiricism theory that measure phenomenon independent of the factor that influences a condition suggests that the frameworks explain the reality in the country. The scholar claims that the celebrity culture is gaining root in the contemporary times because of the people's liking for an imaginary portrayal of political reality that qualifies the role of a politician as a celebrity figure. According to the theory, the personalities are an extension of individual American aspirations. Hence, the politicians exploit the desires of the masses in shaping political activities. Scott (184) notes that the political class exploits infrapolitics for personal good. They behave as celebrities in the present on the realization that the stature appeals to the masses more than the traditional leadership image conveyed by those in the corporate circles. Few political leaders seek to ascertain intellectual prowess in their sphere of exploration. The personality instead strives to gain celebrity status in an attempt to capitalize on the popularity to shape political opinion. A keen observation of social media profile of politicians like Bernie Sanders indicates that the leader expresses concern to prevailing issue using populist tactics. The discussion posted by the individual on healthcare issue is concerned with the idealistic view of the impact of reforms but the leader uses the message to arouse the curiosity of the public on the matter. The approach enhances the popularity of the person. The trends serve as an indication that the political culture relies on celebrity tactics that dictate the nature of discussion in the public sphere.

Empiricism theory also connects to the exploitation of technology in communication. The claim put forward by John Locke that humans seek and use resources that best virtualizes their imagination is based on the perception of the significance of the items in portraying desires of humanity. At present times, the preference for social media in communication implies that discussion on politics must feature on a platform used by the majority in a society in the conveyance of desires. Just as the case in the 19th century where print media influenced political romanticism in the United States, the rise in the use of Facebook and Twitter is replicative of the technology of the present shaping public discourse. The social media platform is enabling the personalities to convey elusive and non critical issues affecting the community using effective language. Because of the real-time reporting, the public enjoins in the debate leading to deliberation on way of resolving the issue conceptualized. In a context where the subject of debate is realistic, the real-time reporting and talk seek to enhance the relevance of the issue to enlighten the people on the possibilities of a better manifestation of the idea. In many ways, the view of the celebrities influences the debacle in the public sphere even if the issue is insignificant. The masses, in turn, develop an interest in the issue for discussion and such formulates the debacle for the political activities in the United States. Although some might argue that the views are insignificant on critical matters as national security, the contemporary times has been witnessing the escalation in the practice that thrives on empiricism theory in shaping the political culture in the United States. the manifestation of the influence is prevalent because of technological advances that facilitate quick conveyance of political issues.

After exploring the reporting on prime-time news in the US, one can argue that celebrity figures and politicians use platforms like CNN in shaping the opinion of the public on political matters since the media encourages the practice. In 2004, John Kerry and President Bush adopted a stance that endeared them with the majority of the electorates. The last election of November 2016 witnessed political figures reliance on the individual in soliciting influence for votes. Both the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump deployed the characters. The leaders seeking a political position in the country exploited the publicity in striving to sway votes to their favor. The efforts in many ways shaped the outcome of a political contest. According to empiricism theory, the politician sought fame through the sensational approach to a social issue affecting the population in the United States. The leaders first identified an issue that could arouse the emotions of the populism then exploited the feeling in claiming to possess the ability to address the concern. During the process, the political figure strives to ensure that he or she maintains the celebrity status since the impression ensures dominance in the political circles. The choices of the electorate in the country highlight preferences of personalities with celebrity status rather than intellectual prowess. The rise in culture is responsible for a high representation by leaders popular with the masses in the contemporary times. Politicians unable to create a profile that portrays them as popular nowadays struggle to ascend to leadership even if they possess the necessary attribute and vision capable of helping solve societal problems.

The United States political sphere has also witnessed the exploitation of the tactic aligning to Lipmann’s communication theories where celebrities guide the political activities. Instead of the political class proposing the agenda for the public, they solicit the view of the celebrities. They choose to play second filled with popular celebrities in their area of representation. There are also cases of reporting on the media prioritizing the view of a celebrity. The tactics thrive on the fact that the masses tend to listen more to celebrities that political leaders. Lipmann alluded that the concept commenced in the progressive era where politics reflected imagination instead of serving as a function of reality. The leaders in the era sought to communicate the urge to actualize the imagination and aspiration of the voters. In the same way, the leaders of the contemporary times engage the popular individual in reflecting people’s aspirations by enabling the person set the trends on debates. Afterward, the public debate the concern on assumption it is the cumulative aspiration. The habit has been formulating the basis of politics in the United States.

Lipmann's theory also aligns with the use of propaganda in creating a sensation to guide the rest in the political debacle. The case of Kanye West trying to influence the political affairs in the United States is a typical explanation of the possibilities of celebrities exploiting their influence for personal advances. The figure has the habit of making controversial pronouncements with the intention of gauging the view of the public on a matter. In his claim that slavery was justifiable, Kanye sought to evoke the imagination of the black community to enable the group air their concern about the historical developments and the role of slavery in the outcome of the social and economic outlook of the United States. The efforts aligning to Lippmann’s theory culminated in the debate of the matter on social media platform. The followers of the figure aired their opinion with a majority taking a stand replicating the view of the figure. The propaganda by the character in the long-term affirmed the role of popular figures in the political affairs in the United States. The assumption that Kanye’s concern is a concern of the public exploits Lipmann’s theory of populism politics.

The lifestyle choices of the celebrities are also an area for exploitation by the media in creating a fuss even on a matter that proves insignificant to the well-being of the masses. In the study of democracy in the 19th century, Walter Lippmann established that the mode of communication and presentation of the figures to audiences in some way featured as part of the talking point for the political class. The dressing of the people and fashion choices were critical. The celebrities could encourage a habit that the masses emulated, and such applied in their view on the political matter (Marres and Javier 489). In the United States, the desire for the political class to fit into the culture is responsible for the aspirations of many to communicate their accomplishment on social media platforms. The tendency of a leader to organize a luncheon then use the occasion to highlight his or her flamboyance is also an affirmation that the American public is beginning to develop an interest in the outlook of the celebrity instead of maintaining focus on the abilities of the leader. The numbers of those gaining recognition because of being trendy and engaging in a habit that accentuate their popularity is rising. In the past few decades, the nation had a higher representation of conservative congressional representatives. The leaders rarely showcased their lives to the public as the case in the present. The voters also expressed reservation for judging the individual based on the popularity since the citizen gauged a leader based on the ability to fulfill his or her promises. However, such is no longer the case in the contemporary times. One might fail to fulfill the promise but create a profile that resonates with the aspirations of the public then ascertain a stature that inspires many to idolize the leaders. If the person opts to take a given stance on an issue, the leader receives support from the public on the matter courtesy of exploitation of Lippmann’s theory of politics.

The explanation of the surge in cases of controversy contributing to the popularity of a political figure is an affirmation that populism politics described as democracy fallacy by Lippmann is shaping the politics of the United States and not ideology. The popular politicians seek every opportunity to express concern on the matter especially in a context where the subject of discussion can arouse controversy. Unlike the case in the past where the choice of unpopular stand on an issue annoyed the public, the present times is witnessing a slightly different dynamics. The ‘celebrity’ political leader expressing a controversial issue rarely faces a backlash on his claims. The masses for most of the time choose to support the sentiments expressed by the figure even if the view contradicts the principles of many in the society. The possibility of the election of personalities lacking leadership attributes is an affirmation of the rise in the celebrity culture in the United States. At present, athlete or a musician can also seek leadership then ascertain the position on the premise of popularity rather than the ability to fulfill leadership roles. The decline in numbers of politicians possessing competent legislative skills is an affirmation that the celebrity culture is shaping the development in the United States. In the past decades, the political class had a higher representation of leader’s possessive legislative skills unlike the case at presents where a significant number is incompetent. According to Scott (197), the changing infrapolitics has influenced socio-cultural dynamics in the society.

The public relations theories allude that politics is all about communicating effectively to electorates using the appeal that fulfill their aspirations. John Locke notes that leaders aim is to identify the voter then concentrate on addressing the target audience. The recent reports of an investigation into the activities of a British based firm Cambridge analytica on the political affairs of the United States indicate the validity of public relations theory. According to the case, the company interfered with the outcome of the elective process in the country. The expose indicated that the organization aided in the creation of staged celebrity figure to win the election in the country. The manipulation of social media platform and many other technological resources indicated that few voters made decision logically. The majority of voters instead conceptualized the information relayed via the media platform then uses the same in making a decision. The election of the country, therefore, is a replication of the popularity contest among individuals and not the quest to fulfill political duties. According to Shepard (264), one might lack the leadership ability but exploit public relations skills to outwit persons possessing the ability to serve the interest of the public. The efforts, in turn, contribute to the elections of person capable of exploiting the media in creating a culture that makes him or her adorable to the electorate. The reporting of the developments in the United States indicates that politics is losing objectivity due to rise in preference of the utilization of strategy that focuses on popularity and not leadership's capabilities.

Another development affirming the connection between celebrities, spectacle, and media is the veneration of the role of the media in gauging human understanding. The majority of American thinks that the journalist and the reporters convey information that helps enhance objectivity in the decision. However, in most cases, the reporter seeks commercial benefits using public relation strategies. The public relies on the logical of the media spectacle that targets a specific audience yet the strategy is fallacious. The approach only benefits the public in a situation where the reporting is valid since the voters believe the idea without questioning the source of the information. The attitude of assuming that media communicates people concern is responsible for the calculative tactics exploited by campaigners in sneering than an individual wins an elective seat. According to John Locke, the politician aware of the culture of the population does not have to address the underlying issue that seeks to improve the well-being of the population (Sanders 2). The person instead identifies the emotive concerns then masters the spectacles that enhance one's popularity. Afterward, the person uses rhetorical appeals in claiming a status that endear him or her to the voters. The resultant effect is popularity that encourages the people to elect the individual for a position. The habit is responsible for the leadership crises facing the United States. The persons in positions lack the skills and ability to lead but can exploit fame to create the impression that they possess the competence to lead.

Additionally, the political sphere in the United States is witnessing a surge in celebrity diplomacy. The political leaders are expressing the willingness to engage celebrities in addressing an issue that affects people at the communal levels using celebrities rather than political figures. The representative of the specific realm assigns the celebrity-popular to the masses an ambiguous role in times of deliberation on a solution to social crises such as a crime surge. The political leaders at times accompany the celebrity to entertainment even with the intent of addressing a political issue indirectly. In the aftermath of the occurrence of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the local administrators sought to associate with the celebrities like John Travolta and Oprah Winfrey to express commitment to serving the interest of the poor. In the quest for Democratic Party candidate ticket in 2008, Hillary Clinton sought to associate with popular black musicians like 50 Cent in a bid to lure the candidate exploit his popularity in securing votes to the leaders. The character undertook an ambiguous ambassadorial role of representing Hillary in the black community. The assumption in the deployment of the tactic was that Hillary could gain much political influence by associating with celebrities revered in the communities that form part of the electorate black that favored candidate Obama.

The direct influence in celebrity spectacle is also manifest in the organization of the political activities in the United States through the exploitation of public relations theory. The team coordinating presidential activities always engages celebrities in political functions. For instance, after the election of a leader to serve as president, the planners of the inauguration incorporate popular celebrity figures to perform to the public on the day of the event. The undertaking is an affirmation that the planners recognize the role of the celebrity in the political sphere in the United States. Furthermore, the organizers of the function also exploit the opportunity in popularizing a candidate (Roseberry 133). The tactic is a public relations initiative aimed at creating a debacle that persuades the public to support the leaders in his actions. According to political theorist, the habit is not a new phenomenon in the United States since the practice commenced in the era of Andrew Jackson. The presidential candidate sought to endear himself to the public as a man of the people. He relied on the media in seeking publicity besides engaging celebrities in coordinating state protocol after the election to leadership. Jackson organized luncheon and dinners featuring celebrities with the intent of securing public support in his initiatives. The efforts, in turn, yielded positive outcome since the leader gained the popularity that enabled implementation of his agenda.

At the international sphere, American leaders have the habit of exploiting celebrity diplomacy in steering their global initiative. The leaders strive to create an impression of being universally acceptable in a bid to advance the agenda of the country. The initiative commences with international trips covered by the media in the country to enable the masses in the country develop a view that the politician is endearing America to the globe. The tactic has been critical in the implementation of America’s foreign policy. The era of Obama witnessed the exploitation of the tactic in peace negotiations. The leader pose as an international celebrity figure then exploited the popularity in negotiating on behalf of the United States. Bill Clinton exploited similar tactic in his era in popularizing the United States to the globe. He made people envy the nation despite the country’s shortcoming in a number of areas. The image created by the leader motivated the local politicians to aspire to ascertain the similar status and such marked the continuation in the quest to create a spectacle to use the same in initiating political agendas. After the years of service in leadership, the former presidents of the United States engage in social forums as celebrities with the goal of persuading people into a specific cause of action. The Bill Clinton foundation initiative to the public is an indication that the wife of the leader is using her popularity for a political cause. The methods help one accomplish political initiative in the United States. However, the approach to exploiting the strategy ought to downplay the notion that the leader is using his popularity for advancing the cause she is championing as witnessed in the run-up to 2016 election.

Subsequently, the affirmation of celebrity culture having influence in the present is manifest in the works of Stephen Duncombe, Dream: Reimaging Progressive Politics in the Age of Fantasy. The scholar presented Lipmann’s view that affirms the leadership of the contemporary time is no longer interested in conceptualizing reality but they prioritize create the image (Shepard 263). The use of propaganda in striving to advance democracy is an affirmation of the tact. The description of the blunders of George W Bush administration in the war on terror features in the text as an affirmation of the misguided role of the media in shaping the developments in the country. The platform created a stage for the leader to air misleading information to the public. According to the communication theory described by Stephen Duncombe, the leadership formulates an ideology of interest then exploits the media in popularizing the concept. Upon the realization that the public is interested in the matter, the political class flouts the idea of striving to solve the issue. In the case of the United States, the focus on the security concern being an issue of importance is the example of such a debacle. The Bush administration heightened the magnitude of the challenge thus creating the desire of the public seeking to debate the matter. The leadership then communicated the motive to address the concern only to extend the initiative beyond the defined scope of the problem. The leadership was cognizant of the public engagement in the discussion following the inclusion of celebrities and popular figures in forums to debate are the issue. The approach, in turn, culminated in the interest of few people in political administration exploiting the media in popularizing an issue then creating a celebrity culture around the solution to the problem.

A person watching the news in 2018 confronts the challenges of distinguishing between real political news, entertainment, and gossip because of the exploitation of myriad of political theories in the packaging of news. The mode of conveyance of information also capitalizes on the influence of the public and such makes it difficult understanding the motive of the communication. In the recent portrayal of president Trump’s negative and positive remarks towards the leader of North Korea, the contradiction in the notation of the message Tweeted by the leader portrays Trump as a social figure instead of a head of state. His communication is seeking to create an appeal that endears him to the American electorate and not the real issue of concern. His decision to use Twitter in communication also expresses a desire to embrace a habit contrasting the traditional protocol in presidential communication. The interesting thing about the public following the developments via Twitter is an indication that Americans like celebrity spectacle. The public’s willingness to confront the leader through twitter responses is an indication that people enjoy the excitement of receiving formal news packaged using unconventional means. Observing the outcome of the remarks affirms the theories that allude that politics is becoming a contract defined by celebrity culture. The expression by the journalist and individual reporters is an extension of the aspirations of the public reflected in reporting in the public domain.

Additional development in the United States political circles is that the country is witnessing a surge in reporting of political issues on entertainments platform. The comedians in the country and figures in the entertainment industry with a massive following have the tendency of delving of political jokes. They communicate concern affecting the public using satire. The approach confirms the relevancy of the empiricism theory that implies that reporting must evoke relevance for the public to consider the issue important. For that reason, the decision for a comedian to use political jokes and engages popular political characters in discussion is an indication that the personalities are only exploiting the psychic of the public. They are capitalizing on the existing culture in sharing opinions. According to Sanders (6), the possibilities of the media houses succeeding in their commercialization agenda without incorporation of political activities are minimal. The realization of the possibility is responsible for the intricate development that creates a connection between the cultures of the masses and the practices in the media fraternity. The reporters must acknowledge the collective imagination of the population in addressing a matter.

The exploration of the link between celebrity spectacle and political development in the United States also expresses the normalcy of the practice as a global phenomenon. According to Shepard (266), the habit is not new to America but an expression of social-cultural dynamics of different societies. The desire for people to appeal through media platform is historical and not only political but cultural. Communities tend to adore images that exploit the psychic of the public. The practice of advertisers exaggerating the quality and value emanating from using a product is replicative of the decision of media to accentuate the image of a politician. The cumulative efforts of the commercial and political branding are the popularity of both the commodity and the politician. The effect affirms the need to exploit sociocultural dynamics in the comprehension of the desires of the public. In the case of media houses reporting and branding political figures, the companies are only shaping opinions based on the aspirations of the public. The strategy works only in a setting where the consumers influence the habit. Hence, in the case of the United States, the public motivates the celebrities to shape the opinion on political matters. The characters are a reflection of individual aspirations of Americans and not pacesetters of a cultural phenomenon in the society.

Conclusion and recommendation

In conclusion, the contemporary society is witnessing a surge in cases of celebrities influencing political activities by exploiting empiricism, theory of public relation and Lapmann’s theory. The political class is equally striving to ascertain celebrity status in their quest for leadership. The relationship between celebrities spectacle and political is more manifest that the case several decades ago. The situation is attributable to the advance in technology use. Platform like social media has enabled politicians to embrace tactics that endear them to the public. The leadership in the country is equally exploiting the strategy in the advancement of political agenda. The case of politicians engaging musicians in campaigns and initiatives at the local levels is an affirmation of the rise in celebrity culture shaping political developments. The effects are equally profound at the national level through the action of presidents. The previous societies witnessed similar occurrences but the dynamics are slightly different at present. The tact has become the norm hence the need for the stakeholder to rethink the issue since the developments might pose negative consequences on the political activities in the United States.

Lastly, the rise in the culture of populist politics where politicians will embrace the celebrity culture to appeal to the public is not going away soon. The advance in the concept is inevitable. The only way for dealing with the concern entails enhancing objectivity in the exploitation of the tactic. The process should commence with the present leadership exploiting celebrity culture while ensuring that they do not go overboard in exaggerating issues of public interest. The leaders should strive to inculcate in voters values that encourage debates on concerns affecting the overall well-being of the population. The media has a critical role in the process. News houses and the personalities serving the entities should devise tactics that inspire the populism to idolize figure that help the society. as thing stand, the media fails to question the morality of the individual by paying much attention to his popularity. However, in a context where the stakeholder managing the platform of communication will begin to address the ethical concern in defining celebrity status, the contemporary American society will witness a transition in the model of politicking. The politicians will not seek publicity for fame sake but will strive to incorporate virtues that promote societal progress.

Works Cited

Marres, Noortje, and Javier Lezaun. "Materials and devices of the public: An introduction." Economy and society 40.4 (2011): 489-509.

Roseberry, William. "Scott James C., Domination and the Arts of Resistance: Hidden Transcripts. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1990. xvi+ 251 pp." International Labor and Working-Class History 42 (1992): 132-134.

Sanders, Karen. Communicating politics in the twenty-first century. Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.

Scott, James C. Domination and the arts of resistance: Hidden transcripts. Yale university press, 1990.

Shepard, Benjamin. "Dream: Re‐Imagining Progressive Politics in an Age of Fantasy–By Stephen Duncombe." WorkingUSA 10.2 (2007): 262-268.