Abstract
Steve Tesich introduced the concept of post-truth in his 1992 article titled “Government of Lies.” Tesich employed the term to illustrate how the Bush government’s propaganda was embraced as truth. The book “The Post-Truth Era” by Ralph Keyes subsequently popularized the concept, leading to its popularity during the 2016 US presidential election and the UK’s referendum on leaving the European Union. Consequently, Oxford Dictionary named it the Word of the Year in 2016. The significance of the post-truth has become increasingly critical today due to the erosion of reality facilitated by mass media and social media platforms. While the concept initially focused on politics, it has since transcended this realm. The confusion and distortion of reality have become an enduring and constant experience for most individuals, as information spreads rapidly and anyone can freely publish content in the digital medium without impediment. Whereas a comprehensive article penned by an expert on a particular subject may only reach a limited audience capable of comprehending it, an article or video disseminated by a conspiracy theorist or purveyor of disinformation can instantaneously reach millions. With this backdrop in mind, this article aims to explore the potential tsunamis that may arise at the micro-level within world politics and the international system, influenced by the phenomenon known as post-truth.
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Notes
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“Most popular fake election stories in the United States in 2016, by Facebook Engagement” Statista, (February 14, 2023).
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Kan, K. (2023). Post-truth Period in World Politics. In: Akıllı, E., Gunes, B. (eds) World Politics in the Age of Uncertainty. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-39607-6_3
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