Are we living in a world of Post-Truth Politics?

Are we living in a world of post-truth politics? 

Tump, Brexit, Grammar schools: there is plenty of ammunition for those who claim that we are living in world of Post-truth politics, but what exactly is post truth politics and we, in fact, destined for a world dominated by just that?  

350 million pounds a week to our NHS, if you’re not immediately familiar with this figure it is the figure that the official leave campaign emblazoned across their bus, their slogans and repeated in every interview. We knew then that this was a false, unrealistic and completely misleading claim, and know even Farage himself has distanced himself from it, agreeing that it was misleading. Yet 52% of the country voted for an option which was dominated by what are now widely  accepted to be false statistics. Many would argue that this exemplifies how facts and statistics have become irrelevant to the success of politics, instead being dominated by fear and lies. It certainly does seem to get support, but with the Brexit cases it is hard to attribute the success of the campaign to the ‘post-truths’, as they have euphemistically become known, from the other factors of success, such as the disenfranchisement of the public. 

It is not a new thing that politicians lie by any means. Politicians have ranked high for many years in what the public perceive to be the world’s most untrustworthy professions. There is a difference between evidence free politics and post-truth politics.  Politicians previously have always used the lack of the truth as an instrument for a goal, no better example can be found than the Badger Cull or Grammar Schools - both of which have been put forward despite resounding evidence. Post truth Politics is different, for here the truth becomes an irrelevant aside, something that is not even considered. This is where the problem lies. 

Post-truth politics currently has two topical examples that help to suggest its origins and its fuel.  One is Brexit, the other is Trump and both share certain features, aside from a polarising and provocative leader. Those voting for the campaigns are generally working class, disenfranchised people who can easily relate to a simple narrative. This disenfranchisement is the product of decades of marginalisation, and this stirs an anger that post-truth politics appeals to. Post truth politics is a depressing situation, but one that a full knowledge of facts, and a proactive approach to political interest can help to remedy. Trump’s refugee problem poster is a horrific demonstration of what can happen when post-truth politics is pushed to the limit. It is dangerous and can legitimise racism and intolerance.