Clout .... not a phenomenon - a cynical formula
Well, if you are imagining that this piece deals with only politics - then 'No'. 'Clout' dates back to the primeval times even before Darwin was born. Earth was just conceiving for millions of years and then was born the first organism which was 'innately' built with a driving force to survive. That living organism evolved to become forests and primeval animals.All things 'refined' pop up late. Then came MAN, looking like a grizzly bear who hunted for 'food' and 'mate'.
Life blessed to perish
Any organism can be termed a colony of atoms upgraded to molecules then to matter and shape. The last feature depends on terrain and food. Then comes the urge to look for similar creatures. Thus they formed a group. Now groups wished to distinguish themselves with a 'colour', 'attire' and 'mannerism'. If one group (oldest) wished to be an outstanding CLOUT becomes a privileged facilitator to reach the core group.
Swatting lives to survive
Since then this practice has been followed and CLOUT gets you the 'aid' to trespass into the group. The shrewd man informs or disinforms about the 'clout' to a maddening crowd which diligently falls for 'mass mania'. Can you believe mass mania presumably gets glued to one 'credo' like a torch that ignites the mind and keeps sounding and resounding the credo. So, we have had a history of wars, religious wars, dethroning, beheading, usurping, ousters, murders and what not. All man-made.
Let nature do the destruction
On a lighter note, the 'clout' puts on the garb of a 'coterie' that thrives on 'money', 'gossip', and 'ill-timed' drinks and nibbles. The coterie appears influential and can do and undo situations except natural disasters. Unless they have the expertise to explode nuclear bombs under the earth's crust or strategically poised 'submarines' which can (?) explode in the ocean, endangering marine creatures also.
So clever man can be - to form a group, a clout and a coterie - all for survival or challenging survival.
Life blessed to perish
Any organism can be termed a colony of atoms upgraded to molecules then to matter and shape. The last feature depends on terrain and food. Then comes the urge to look for similar creatures. Thus they formed a group. Now groups wished to distinguish themselves with a 'colour', 'attire' and 'mannerism'. If one group (oldest) wished to be an outstanding CLOUT becomes a privileged facilitator to reach the core group.
Swatting lives to survive
Since then this practice has been followed and CLOUT gets you the 'aid' to trespass into the group. The shrewd man informs or disinforms about the 'clout' to a maddening crowd which diligently falls for 'mass mania'. Can you believe mass mania presumably gets glued to one 'credo' like a torch that ignites the mind and keeps sounding and resounding the credo. So, we have had a history of wars, religious wars, dethroning, beheading, usurping, ousters, murders and what not. All man-made.
Let nature do the destruction
On a lighter note, the 'clout' puts on the garb of a 'coterie' that thrives on 'money', 'gossip', and 'ill-timed' drinks and nibbles. The coterie appears influential and can do and undo situations except natural disasters. Unless they have the expertise to explode nuclear bombs under the earth's crust or strategically poised 'submarines' which can (?) explode in the ocean, endangering marine creatures also.
So clever man can be - to form a group, a clout and a coterie - all for survival or challenging survival.