This archive report was first published on 3 August 2019.
As I watched a documentary about Cambridge Analytica, I couldn't help but think of the upcoming general election in Tanzania. The company's tactics of 'behaviour change' and election social engineering are a stark reminder of the power of manipulation in shaping public opinion.
Cambridge Analytica's branding is cleverly designed to evoke trust, but their actions are far from trustworthy. They have been linked to high-profile campaigns, including Trump and Brexit, and have used tactics such as making 'not voting' 'cool' to influence election outcomes.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the documentary is the way Cambridge Analytica created a movement around 'not having a movement' and called it 'Do So.' This clever tactic exploited cultural and youth factors to create a sense of coolness around not voting.
As a non-partisan, I have been pondering what to do for the coming general election. Should I support the movement to vote, especially among our youth majority? Or is it more strategic to oppose the elections and hope to render them invalid by having too few people show up?
But as I reflect on the tactics of Cambridge Analytica, I realize that the real challenge lies in the way we perceive the power of youth in our democracies. We often believe that youth are powerless and disinterested, but this is precisely what is working against us.
It's time to rethink our approach to democracy and to encourage young people to participate in the electoral process. As Erick Kabendera's article on internal party issues in CCM shows, there are many challenges to be addressed, but it's worth fighting for democracy because the alternatives are unbearable.
So, let's not be too cool to think of valiant Erick Kabendera and the many others who are fighting for democracy in Tanzania. Let's participate, listen to every argument, and sift through the logic of our choices. And let's make sure that our voices are heard in the coming elections.
