Dimensions
168 x 235 x 8mm
Many people are now dismayed by the relaxed attitude of governments here and abroad towards truth-telling. In Australia, examples come readily to mind: WMD and Iraq, 'children overboard' and the Manildra affair. Deceitful 'spin' and denial of responsibility seem to have become commonplace in political life.
Cynics say that none of this is new: what can you expect of politicians? Australia's favourite philosopher Raimond Gaita believes otherwise, and in this bold and brilliantly argued essay he explains why. Politics, he says, is potentially a noble vocation. Politicians have various kinds of responsibilities to speak the truth. Lying is not something one can readily accept as just the way of the world.
Gaita takes on the cynical attitude and painstakingly dismantles it. Thinking through noteworthy examples from recent public debates, he examines how the truth can be twisted and obscured and what this does to our public life.
