In the last few years the world has seen the emergence of what has become known as post-factual politics. This is the practice whereby some running for high office speak untruths, draw factually incorrect conclusions and provide no policy detail.
Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s Presidential candidate, has skilfully used such an approach to translate voter anger against economic globalisation, elites and migration, to facilitate his hoped for rise to power. It is a tactic not dissimilar to that taken by those who, without any clear alternative or plan, encouraged the UK electorate to vote to leave the European Union. It is also reflected, for example, in the remarks of President Putin, President Erdogan in Turkey, or President Assad in Syria who reject fact as simply the mistaken perception of others.
