The Rise of Political LyingBeing "economical with the truth" has become almost a jokey euphemism for the political lie -- a cosy insider's phrase for the disingenuousness that is now accepted as part and parcel of political life. But as we face the third term of a government that has elevated this kind of economics almost to an art form, is it now time to question the creeping invasion of falsehood? What does the rise of the political lie say about our society? At what point, if we have not reached it already, will we cease to believe a word politicians say? Tracing the history of political falsehood back to its earliest days but focusing specifically on the exponential rise of the phenomenon during the Major and Blair governments, Peter Oborne demonstrates that the truth has become an increasingly slippery concept in recent years. From woolly pronouncements that are designed merely to obfuscate to outright and blatant lies whose intention is to deceive, the political lie is never far from the surface. And its prevalence has led to a catastrophic decline in trust, at a time when people are more politicised than ever. Rigorous, riveting, and profoundly shocking, this is a devastating book about one of the single biggest issues facing us today. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Alastair Campbell allegations asked assertion believe Bevins bill billion Britain British government British political cabinet campaign Campbell's Chancellor claim Committee Conservative culture Daily Mail David deception denied Denis MacShane Dimbleby dossier Downing Street election electorate euro example fact false falsehood February Foreign Office Gordon Brown Guardian House of Commons Hutton Inquiry insisted intelligence interview Iraq Jack Straw John Major journalists kind Labour MP Labour Party later liar lies lobby London Lord MacShane manifesto Margaret Thatcher mendacity ment Michael misleading misled Mulgan narrative Neil Kinnock never newspaper parliament Parris party conference Patten Peter Mandelson pledge PMOS political editor political lying politicians postmodern Prescott prime minister prime minister's programme quoted Railtrack remarks Robin Cook Saddam September speech spin-doctor spokesman statement Stephen Byers story Sunday telling the truth told Tony Blair Tory vote voters Waldegrave weapons of mass words