Problematisation

The Aesthetics of Innocence: Visual Culture and the Image Management of Political Blame

How Images Help Politicians Dodge Blame

In today’s media-saturated political landscape, images don’t just reflect reality—they shape it. The carefully staged photograph of a leader at a disaster site or the solemn gaze into a camera can speak volumes without uttering a word. These visuals have become central to how politicians manage public perception, especially when things go wrong. As part of a broader blame avoidance strategy, the aesthetics of politics increasingly do the heavy lifting, offering symbolic reassurance while leaving structural issues unaddressed…

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