Do People Actually Like Activism in Their Politics?

The Irish Presidential race and politicians as moral leaders

At the start of the Trump Presidency I amongst others pointed out that western politics seemed to be moving away from Empathy as its sole philosophical lodestar. That meant a decline of the power of activism within politics too; the change culminated in Trump’s attack on USAID funding. I thought it would be good to reflect on how that idea has held up in the months since. In doing that I’m also going to take a look at the Irish Presidential race, being an office that is often sought and held by activists. I’ll also give some history and background of the Presidency became what it is, reflecting as it does the rising political importance of activism. I also think it’s of interest to non-Irish observers who often struggle with what the office is, and is for.