In electoral politics, every “victim” cruises to victory

13 Sept 14:21 Key points summarised by AI

Donald Trump's victory was significantly boosted by a powerful 'victim' narrative, fueled by legal challenges, impeachment attempts, and an alleged assassination attempt, which rallied support against perceived establishment opposition.
Democratic miscalculations, including aggressive attempts to 'block' Trump and President Biden's controversial withdrawal, inadvertently reinforced Trump's victim status and exacerbated political divisions, ultimately benefiting his campaign.
In a highly polarized political climate, voters prioritized allegiance over character flaws, making Trump's 'persecuted' image more impactful than criticisms and turning the election into a proxy battle where traditional issues were secondary.
Misleading polls, influenced by pro-Trump voters' reluctance to openly declare support for a 'demonized' candidate, gave Democrats a false sense of security, highlighting a critical misjudgment of the electorate's true sentiments.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.