Sarkozy’s Political Show in the Toulouse Gunfire: A Perspective from Media Politics （Tian Dewen）

Abstract：Through an analysis of the French President Sarkozy handling of Toulouse Gunfire incident we can make the following observations: during the process of European political transformation the so-called traditional “platform politics ” has been gradually chipped away by “media politics”, which has made the political parties and politicians alike attach more importance to publicity strategy. In contrast to platform politics, media politics is characterized by a declaration of one’s political views in a simple and graphic form, which tends to magnify the irrational elements of the popular will, and result in the emergence of radical parties, impelling centrist parties to go to the extremes. This will of course have far-reaching effect on the structure of European politics.

It should be noted however, “media politics” with its own limitations, can help promote and propel the political transition of Europe, but it can never substitute the role played by the political platforms and political achievements in European politics.

IES Innovation Project Briefing，No. 3, 2012.