In what ways or beyond what point does lying in politics pose a danger to government by popular consent? Does the party system deal effectively with corrosive lying in politics, or does it merely replace one set of liars with another?

Assignment Question

Using the prompt below your essay should reflect a thorough understanding of the relevant readings, and it should present a clear and cogent argument in response to the question posed. A thorough understanding of the readings is demonstrated by frequent reference to specific passages from the readings. You should make it clear, through use of citations, which parts of the readings you are drawing upon, when you quote or paraphrase an author. Your thesis statement should be your answer to the question that you are addressing in your essay. Your essay should be 6-10 pages, typed, double-spaced, in an 11-12 pt. font, with 1-inch margins all around. Number your pages and clearly indicate at the top of your essay the number of the question that you will be addressing.

Prompt: Lying in Politics – Political theorists and citizens alike have long recognized that politicians and government officials lie to the public as a means of exercising power, maintaining themselves in power, or avoiding responsibility for flawed decisions. Draw upon Hannah Arendt’s two essays “Truth and Politics” and “Lying in Politics” to discuss the relationship between truth telling and lying in politics. distinctions Arendt makes between rational truth, factual truth, and opinion, and between politicians and “truth tellers.” Do these analytical distinctions still hold up in our time? Then address the following questions:

1. In what ways is lying in politics necessary or inescapable or even in some sense beneficial?

2. In what ways or beyond what point does lying in politics pose a danger to government by popular consent?

3. Does the party system deal effectively with corrosive lying in politics, or does it merely replace one set of liars with another?

4. Do the contemporary media of communication and news reporting ensure that truth will triumph over the abuse of power, or do they end up spreading lies and/or obfuscating the truth as much as or more than exposing truths and enabling citizens to hold their government accountable for its actions?