1. Introduction 2. Political Theory in Post-Factual Times Part 1: Into Post-Truth Worlds 3. Prophecies of Post-Truth 4. US Politics in Post-Truth Worlds 5. Restoring Democracy Part 2: Out of Post-Truth Worlds 6. Post-Truth and Post-Politics: Splitting the Difference 7. Ways Out? Truth, Technology, Democracy 8. Conclusion: Looking to the Future
Johan Farkas is a PhD Fellow in Media and Communication Studies at Malmö University, Sweden. Farkas has published in international journals such as New Media & Society, Critical Discourse Studies and the Brown Journal of World Affairs. Overall, his research interests lie at the intersection of digital media platforms, politics, civic engagement, journalism, and democracy. Since 2018, Farkas has been the Chair of the Young Scholars Network of the European Communication Research and Education Association (YECREA).
Jannick Schou (PhD) researches questions of politics, citizenship and democracy, particularly in relation to digital technology and European welfare states. He is the author of several monographs and more than a dozen publications in renowned international journals. In 2018, he was awarded the Swedish Political Science Association’s (SWEPSA) prize for best young researcher.
"Post-truth, Fake News and Democracy provides a highly original
analysis of how discourses of truth have emerged in the "fake news"
era. It shows how (re)equating democratic governance with only
reason, rationality and truth undermines the voice of the people
and excludes those most disaffected with politics. Anyone
interested in contemporary debates on power and democracy will be
both challenged and captivated by this book."Ariadne Vromen,
Professor of Political Sociology, Department of Government and
International Relations, University of Sydney"Drawing on
groundbreaking empirical and theoretical work, Farkas and Schou
demonstrate the double threat to democracy posed by post-truth
propaganda and its obverse: an authoritarian backlash to the
politics of Truth with a capital T. Post-Truth, Fake News and
Democracy provides an invaluable conceptual roadmap for navigating
the political perils of the contemporary media landscape with an
unwavering commitment to democratic politics. The authors provide
more than compelling arguments and timely analysis they offer a
powerful and carefully constructed resource for hope."Mark
Andrejevic, Professor at the School of Media, Film, and Journalism,
Monash University"The book I have been waiting for - a critical
interrogation of post-truth and fake news discourses embedded in
their political and historical context that puts democratic renewal
center stage. Farkas and Schou skilfully draw upon political
philosophy to argue that it is democracy rather than truth claims
that should take priority if we really want deeper, better and more
inclusive democratic institutions and societies. As they put it
,"we don't need more truth but more politics". This book is not
only conceptually compelling but also politically important. It
helped me understand not only what is going on but also what to do
about it. A book for our times. Read it."Natalie Fenton, Professor
of Media and Communications, Co-Director Centre for the Study of
Global Media and Democracy, Goldsmiths, University of London"This
is a book that needed to be written. Through an impressive
empirical mapping and discourse theoretical analysis of recent
post-truth and fake news discourses, the authors identify, and
problematize, how democracy in these discourses is articulated as a
technocratic order based on "the rule by truth." In the process,
and with the help of historical contextualization, Farkas and Schou
expose the reactionary anti-democratic imaginary within the
discourses, and consequently open space to once more envision
democracy in terms of "the rule by the people." This incredibly
insightful and important book is a must read for all students,
scholars, and proponents of democracy."Lincoln Dahlberg, Researcher
in Media Politics and Digital Democracy"Few deny the emergence and
importance of post-truth politics, fake news, and the changing
impact of the public and social media on democratic politics,
though it is difficult to find compelling diagnoses and
alternatives. In Post-Truth, Fake News and Democracy, Johan Farkas
and Jannick Schou provide a compelling diagnosis of the
contemporary discourses on "post-truth" through an in-depth
analysis of news articles, commentaries, academic publications,
policy briefs and political speeches. Carefully linking empirical
research and critical political philosophy, the book successfully
challenges those who call simply for greater truth and rationality
by outlining a deeper conception of democracy, and its attendant
institutions and practices. This is an important and path-breaking
contribution that responds to a pressing issue in contemporary
society and politics."David Howarth, Professor and Director of the
Centre for Ideology and Discourse Analysis, University of Essex"The
force of the book’s intervention, then, lies as much in its methods
and approach as it does in its argument and conclusion. A
masterclass in the application of poststructuralist discourse
theory to both empirical and critical ends."Communications"This
book... offers a strong thesis about the relationship between
post-truth politics and the state of contemporary democracy, and
how fake news is inextricably bound to the decline in political
participation."Journal of Librarianship and Information
"Post-truth, Fake News and Democracy provides a highly original
analysis of how discourses of truth have emerged in the "fake news"
era. It shows how (re)equating democratic governance with only
reason, rationality and truth undermines the voice of the people
and excludes those most disaffected with politics. Anyone
interested in contemporary debates on power and democracy will be
both challenged and captivated by this book."Ariadne Vromen,
Professor of Political Sociology, Department of Government and
International Relations, University of Sydney"Drawing on
groundbreaking empirical and theoretical work, Farkas and Schou
demonstrate the double threat to democracy posed by post-truth
propaganda and its obverse: an authoritarian backlash to the
politics of Truth with a capital T. Post-Truth, Fake News and
Democracy provides an invaluable conceptual roadmap for navigating
the political perils of the contemporary media landscape with an
unwavering commitment to democratic politics. The authors provide
more than compelling arguments and timely analysis they offer a
powerful and carefully constructed resource for hope."Mark
Andrejevic, Professor at the School of Media, Film, and Journalism,
Monash University"The book I have been waiting for - a critical
interrogation of post-truth and fake news discourses embedded in
their political and historical context that puts democratic renewal
center stage. Farkas and Schou skilfully draw upon political
philosophy to argue that it is democracy rather than truth claims
that should take priority if we really want deeper, better and more
inclusive democratic institutions and societies. As they put it
,"we don't need more truth but more politics". This book is not
only conceptually compelling but also politically important. It
helped me understand not only what is going on but also what to do
about it. A book for our times. Read it."Natalie Fenton, Professor
of Media and Communications, Co-Director Centre for the Study of
Global Media and Democracy, Goldsmiths, University of London"This
is a book that needed to be written. Through an impressive
empirical mapping and discourse theoretical analysis of recent
post-truth and fake news discourses, the authors identify, and
problematize, how democracy in these discourses is articulated as a
technocratic order based on "the rule by truth." In the process,
and with the help of historical contextualization, Farkas and Schou
expose the reactionary anti-democratic imaginary within the
discourses, and consequently open space to once more envision
democracy in terms of "the rule by the people." This incredibly
insightful and important book is a must read for all students,
scholars, and proponents of democracy."Lincoln Dahlberg, Researcher
in Media Politics and Digital Democracy"Few deny the emergence and
importance of post-truth politics, fake news, and the changing
impact of the public and social media on democratic politics,
though it is difficult to find compelling diagnoses and
alternatives. In Post-Truth, Fake News and Democracy, Johan Farkas
and Jannick Schou provide a compelling diagnosis of the
contemporary discourses on "post-truth" through an in-depth
analysis of news articles, commentaries, academic publications,
policy briefs and political speeches. Carefully linking empirical
research and critical political philosophy, the book successfully
challenges those who call simply for greater truth and rationality
by outlining a deeper conception of democracy, and its attendant
institutions and practices. This is an important and path-breaking
contribution that responds to a pressing issue in contemporary
society and politics."David Howarth, Professor and Director of the
Centre for Ideology and Discourse Analysis, University of Essex"The
force of the book’s intervention, then, lies as much in its methods
and approach as it does in its argument and conclusion. A
masterclass in the application of poststructuralist discourse
theory to both empirical and critical ends."Scott Huntly,
Communications"This book... offers a strong thesis about the
relationship between post-truth politics and the state of
contemporary democracy, and how fake news is inextricably bound to
the decline in political participation."Kate Hinnant, Journal of
Librarianship and Information"Farkas and Schou have brought a
barrage of intellectual ammunition to readers who are interested
and concerned about the current state of truth in liberal
democracies."Bente Kalsnes, Nordic Research on Media and
Communication"There is much to learn and think about in this good
book. Farkas and Schou succeed in their effort to carve out an
alternative perspective on post-truth and democracy. Along the way,
they raise numerous of important and interesting questions for
further thought and deliberation."Frank Fischer, Critical Policy
Studies
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