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In today's press tour, we examine the reasons for the failure of populist governments, the gap between the ability to mobilize voters and the management of institutions, and convey the implications of the conviction of actor and comedian Russell Brand for rape and sexual assault, and finally with an article that addresses the impact of preoccupation with smartphones on romantic relationships.
We begin our tour with the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, where writer David Frost believes, in an article entitled “Populist governments are doomed to fail,” that the success of populist leaders in winning elections does not necessarily mean their ability to manage government.
The writer cites US President Donald Trump, who pledged during his 2024 election campaign not to start new wars, before the United States entered a war with Iran, coinciding with the rise in fuel prices, contrary to his electoral promises.
Frost believes that Trump's problem goes beyond breaking promises, and lies in his inability to move from the mentality of election campaigns to the requirements of governance, which requires explaining difficult decisions and maintaining the support of voters.
He explains that populist leaders often rise by challenging prevailing political positions and raising issues that others avoid, citing Trump on the immigration issue, Nigel Farage on the Brexit issue, and the Alternative for Germany party.
But the qualities that help these leaders win are not enough to run the country, according to Frost, as governance requires reforming institutions, setting priorities, and dealing with opposition, rather than simply stirring up controversy.
The writer says that Trump has lost focus on his priorities related to the costs of living, immigration, and the “America First” policy. He has also alienated his allies and pursued trade policies that are not consistent, in his opinion, with his stated goals.
This challenge extends to Europe, where Frost points to the faltering of populist parties in the Netherlands, Austria and Sweden, considering that the restrictions imposed by the European Union make it more difficult to implement electoral promises.
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The author believes that the success of right-wing governments requires combining the ability of populist movements to communicate with voters and express their aspirations, with the experience of traditional conservatives in managing institutions and implementing policies.
He points out that the British Conservative Party has historically succeeded in achieving this balance, citing the experiences of Benjamin Disraeli, Margaret Thatcher, and Boris Johnson, but he considers that these two trends have become politically separate, and that bringing them back together represents a condition for the return of the British right to power and its ability to bring about actual changes.
An articulate victory that advances the understanding of “consent” in sexual relationships
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From the British newspaper The Guardian, writer Gaby Hensliffe, in an article entitled “A Notable Victory for Understanding Consent in Sexual Relationships,” believes that the conviction of actor and comedian Russell Brand for rape and sexual assault represents an important development in dealing with these issues.
A British jury convicted Brand of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, while acquitting him of two other counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault, with the penalty to be sentenced on November 9.
Henslev says that the importance of the ruling lies in confirming the principle that consent to a sexual act does not mean consent to all practices, and that previous relationships do not waive a woman’s right to refuse.
The writer mentions the testimony of one of the women who was assaulted by Brand, who said that she felt that her previous sexual relationship with him diminished her right to feel the harm resulting from the assault.
Henslev wonders how Brand continued to practice his behavior for years, considering that his fame, influence, and media institutions’ tolerance of his transgressions contributed to protecting him from accountability.
She points out that some women were reluctant to file complaints, not only for fear of not being believed, but also for fear of losing their jobs in institutions that tolerate the behavior of celebrities who generate profits for them.
The writer criticizes the media institutions that continued to employ Brand despite his controversial behavior, noting that he later moved to social media platforms and then found a new audience among the American populist right.
Hinsliffe adds that the ruling goes beyond holding a famous figure accountable, as it affirms the right of women to refuse sexual practices, regardless of the nature of their previous relationships, and reiterates the responsibility of institutions to protect their female workers.
“How does phone ignoring silently ruin your vacation?”
And to the South African newspaper "Pretoria News", where writer Zamandusi Cele, in an article entitled "It's time to stop browsing: How does ignoring your phone silently ruin your vacation?", discusses the impact of smartphones on romantic relationships.
The author sheds light on the phenomenon of “vaping,” which means ignoring the person in front of you and being preoccupied with the phone, noting that some couples are now looking for vacations that allow them to stay away from screens.
Psychologist Anele Siswana was quoted as saying that the problem is not with the phones themselves, but rather with their transformation into a competitor for the partner’s attention, which affects his feeling of listening and appreciation.
She cites a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2020, which showed that 51 percent of Americans in romantic relationships said that their partners are busy with their phones at least sometimes while talking to them.
It also refers to a scientific analysis that included 52 studies and about 20,000 participants, which found a link between telephone ignoring and decreased satisfaction with relationships and intimacy and increased disagreements, without proving a direct causal relationship.
Siswana believes that spending time together does not guarantee emotional communication, as two partners can spend an entire vacation without real interaction, considering that giving the other party full attention represents a form of intimacy.
The newspaper quotes travel expert Michelle Liebenberg as noticing that couples are increasingly interested in vacations that allow them to get away from notifications and work messages, and look for a slower pace of life away from digital pressures.
The author says that improving communication does not require completely abandoning technology, but rather agreeing on phone-free times, such as meals and taking walks, stressing that presence and mutual attention are more important than just spending time together.
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