The task of critique in times of post-truth politics

Abstract

Post-truth politics poses a specific problem for critical theories. The problem is that the relativisation of facts – the claim that knowledge is merely a product of power, history, and perspective – is a core aspect of present-day ideological thinking. Critical theories have been unable to respond to this challenge, because their critique has been directed against the opposite claim, namely the naturalisation of facts. While acknowledging this problem, this article argues that post-truth discourse actually combines relativisation and naturalisation. It does not simply relativise truth, but also naturalises the belief in specific ‘facts’ – notably the belief that ‘conspiracies are behind it all’. Once we recognise the twin character of post-truth, we must reject the view of Bruno Latour and others who have made critique responsible for the crisis. Instead, it then becomes apparent that there are deep and disconcerting similarities between post-truth politics and the totalitarian and authoritarian ideologies of the twentieth century. The task of critique is to confront and counter this resurgent ideology, thereby providing direction and orientation in the struggle for emancipation.

A threat rather than a resource: why voicing internal criticism is difficult in international organisations

“…In this way, a theoretical engagement with internal criticism could prepare the ground for a critical analysis of the 'conditions of critique' (Celikates 2019: 127) in IOs. In the sense of a 'pragmatic critique' (Schindler andWille 2019: 1018), such an approach provides an opportunity to bring the actors' own possibilities for reflection to the fore.…”

What is a minor international theory? On the limits of ‘Critical International Relations’

“…Self-defining as 'Critical', is contrariwise to suggest that the disruption of settle assumptions is a category unto itself, which implies virtuous political and ethical status, and a romanticised scholarly identity. In forgetting that critique because it necessitates minor theory is morally ambivalent, self-describing Critical IR theorists have invited their publics to view them as no more than an alternative set of ideologues (Schindler, 2020).…”

“…Turning critique into a category inhibits its communicability as distinct from ideological claim-making. In deploying this category, therefore, 'Critical IR Scholars' have unnecessarily blunted their own tools for engaging with political and ethical controversies, and in doing so, given succour to their ideologically opposed interlocutors (Schindler, 2020).…”

Populism and Post-Truth in International Politics: Climate Change, Migration, and Covid-19

“…There are six articles in this volume evaluating postmodernism and alternative facts (Wight, 2018), democracy (Hyvönen, 2018), securitisation (Rychnovská & Kohú, 2018), international justice (Lohne, 2018), publicist and pluralism (Michelsen, 2018), and Brexit (Marshall & Drieschova, 2018). There are some studies highlighting television productions (Sirman & Akınerdem, 2019;Çelik, 2020), sustainable energy transformations (Fraune & Knodt, 2018), security studies (Crilley & Chatterje-Doody, 2018), neoliberalism (Mavelli, 2019), consensus theory (Bufacchi, 2020), diversity in unity (Dege, 2019), critical theory (Schindler, 2020), ecology (Hoyng & Es, 2020), disinformation (Romanova, Sokolov & Kolotaev, 2020), and the European Union (Kolotaev, 2020). There are also studies extensively focussing on Turkey and Turkish politics.…”