I agree with Iowa political communication professor David Perlmutter’s assessment of current politics in his article Why Politicians Should Be More Like Professors. I’m always interested to hear academic takes on current events and The Chronicle provides a great source for student, faculty, and administrative perspectives.
As a media, communication, and political enthusiast, I think the Iowa professor does a good job offering suggestions that could make our political debate much less cluttered with competition. It’s an intricate cycle between media companies, legislators, and the hoi polloi, if you will, and I think debates often become side-tracked so that it becomes a game of “Who’s winning?”
There’s often a stigma for “academic” politicians because they want to be able to relate to as many of their people as possible. But who wouldn’t prefer the smartest kid in the classroom leading us in anything? When I read Perlmutter’s qualifications, they would help anyone, really — not just politicians. It’s just that politicians can often get more wrapped up in trivial pursuits because the stakes are so high. If someone can effectively communicate his goals with usand other esteemed minds (from any background), he’s worth hearing.
A.M.Roth 