Taking the political plunge

The pitfalls of becoming a political activist and why there is always hope

2024 was the year of elections. Throughout the past year, an unprecedented number of people went to the polls, culminating in the US election, which was labelled the most seismic election in the history of the United States. With the year of elections behind us, 2025 is when we will begin to observe the results’ real political and global manifestations. Given such high stakes, there will be a number of people across the world who may want to get involved and take a ‘plunge’ into politics. However, despite their level of enthusiasm, there will be many stark obstacles for budding activists.  

For those seeking to champion a left-wing agenda, global liberalism took quite a hit over the past year. Left-wing or centre-left parties often found themselves on the losing side. In France, Emmanuel Macron, who was once championed as the great liberal hope for Europe, found himself without a majority in Parliament and unable to take any meaningful action in the absence of support from the far-right National Rally Party. Meanwhile, in Europe’s other key state, Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholtz saw his government collapse as his left-wing coalition broke down, paving the way for the far-right Alternative for Germany to make gains in the upcoming election despite its controversial links with Nazi ideology. 

The European left has failed to halt the rise of far-right populism in recent years, but the failure of liberalism is most stark with the re-election of Donald Trump. His re-election saw a rejection of the ‘woke’ ideals that have come to define the Democratic party in recent years and suggests a broader shift to the political right amongst the American population. This is despite attempts by the left to brand Trump as a “fascist” and a threat to Democrats. Accordingly, those seeking to take the plunge into left-wing politics are facing voters who are feeling increasingly alienated by policies deemed ‘woke’ and divisive that don’t reflect their needs. A move away from woke thinking is already taking place amongst those on the left, perhaps most prominently with Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez making a shift towards the political centre to win over voters. It is now up to progressive activists, young and old, to decide if they want to join her in this transition. 

Things hardly look easier for those seeking to take the plunge into right-wing politics, specifically the centre-right. With the rise of far-right ideologies and activities, those who identify as conservatives but with a more liberal worldview have found themselves marginalised by parties that see their moderation as a weakness. The likes of John McCain, who once championed an open-minded and respectful Republican party, would hardly recognise the current Republican party, which is now so infused with the MAGA fever that they openly discuss sending former Republicans to the firing squad. This is not the only challenge that individuals on the centre-right face. The far-right’s destruction of the traditional centre-right has seen moderate conservatives shunned by those on the left as well, as they perceive them as cut from the same cloth as the Trumpian faithful. An example of this would be the case of Anthony Scaramucci, a Republican and former White House communications director, who sought to help prepare Kamala Harris throughout her election campaign. He was shunned, however, by Democratic HQ, who did not want help from a former Trump supporter. The traditional right is close to extinction, and even the most optimistic projections suggest that it will no longer be considered as a viable political view before long.  

Yet, despite all these challenges, it is crucial for those seeking to take the plunge into politics to do so with vigour, regardless of their views. With a Canadian election due sometime this year, getting out and campaigning for the party of your choice is crucial. Even though current projections predict a comfortable win for the Conservatives, the work one puts into supporting their party and campaigning on their behalf can help reach thousands with the help of social media, which has made activism more accessible than ever. However, while it is relatively easy to be an activist, it is harder to make your voice heard amongst all the competing noises. This means that you have to be willing to work for your chosen cause, especially in the face of any adversity. To take the plunge, you must commit to it and work hard—whether it be writing for a student newspaper or organising a peaceful protest.

Ultimately, if anyone is to take the political plunge this year, they should always maintain their hope. Amongst all the liberal and moderate failures of the past year, there are always stories of hope and success that remind us of the power of politics as a force for good. The move in Australia to ban social media for those under the age of 16 is just one example of a small campaign that grew into a national issue. This ban originated out of activists campaigning to ban mobile phones from primary schools in New South Wales, but through a concerted effort to have their voices heard, they made their campaign a national one and effected change welcomed by many. With determination, open-mindedness, and hope, any political activist or person who wishes to make the plunge into politics can have the same kind of influence—as long as they are ready to do the work.