Politics and Post-truth: Where are we heading?

Abstract

Post-truth has embodied as the word of the year 2016 in the Oxford Dictionary, and it is defined as ‘relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.’¹ This is primarily due to Trump’s victory in the US presidential race, and Brexiteer, i.e., Britain's choosing to be out from the European Union. Here in this paper, I will be limiting myself to Nepali history, and if possible I will cite some of the recent political upheavals from around the world. Finally, it also seeks to depict how the truth exists in the political realm , and how political leaders confided truthfully on the intentions of their past politics. Subsequently this should assist me in reinforcing my thesis here.

Keywords: Post-truth, Truth, Nepali Politics, Media, Power, Brexiteer

1. Introduction

A few weeks ago, I was going through an article with the heading “Nepal and post-truth” by Abhi Subedhi in the Kathmandu Post.² I could not restrain myself from developing my thoughts into something deeper ,and present some of my arguments to reinforce the facete of post-truth which has occupied common and uninformed minds. It’s been a widespread perception that the societies are inundated with hoax news and, misrepresent fact and truth. Even Nepali histories carry dark realities throughout the political upheaval and the post-truth can be observed from the beginning. However, it is a quandary ascertained that whether one could rely on the post-truth while seeking for the absolute reality. Post-truth can neither be a default for our generation, or be an alternative for the absolute truth where it seeks to revive the spirit of ethics and morals.

The Kot Massacre (1846) serves as a reminder where self-interest has permeated politics. We can see even before the Kot massacre, where one king could betray another king, just for power and prestige. Like it or not, our leaders could not refrain from the ‘ma’³ and ‘Apno Manchhe’⁴ system throughout the history of Nepal. One of the unforgettable events such as the royal massacre of 2001, remains a mystery to the general public who still does not know objectively who the perpetrator was. The Nepalese are not satisfied with the government’s conclusion about the Royal massacre those only in power decide the consensus. Such arbitrations of leaders do not necessarily need to be grounded in truth and fact, rather it is used to fulfill one’s agenda. I think this arbitration is a part of the post truth element that is evident in Nepal too. I also find such apparent in our nation, even though the colonial literary world can only view Europe and America as their protégé. Brexit and the American’s presidential election became the center for the evolution of post-factual or post-truth.

2. Servant Leader; Truth

The country has a great hope and aspiration for democratic ruling. The desired new system would create emerging leaders who could provide us a role model in politics. After we got a multi-party democracy in the country in 1990, there were not many significant or domestically notable changes in the altered system. The nation struggled for servant-hearted leaders. None of the political parties could ever present a true leader who could genuinely stand for integrity. Personal interests have overshadowed the mainstream political line. Gradually, the political shift became more apparent a bit further as the Maoists started the People’s war (1996) in the country, which was promising to the poor and marginalized. A light seemed to be dazzling with shining power on the Maoist as their political agendas were seemingly true and in the interest of the people. In other words, the general masses who were endowed with rural poverty and social inequality became motivated by the Maoist war. However, the situation turned out to be completely different after the abolishment of the monarchy (2006). All the promises made by the Maoists did not come to pass even after the country turned into a federal democracy controlled by the Maoists. The Maoist party gradually disassembled as time passed by. Personal interests became priority over the people in the political framework. Hundreds of people were killed during the last ten years of insurgency and many orphans were created because they lost their parents and loved ones in the war. What about the hope from the Maoist that was set in 1996? It is ironic to see that the leaders are still shining, whereas the common people who fought for them are still in Malaysia and Korea as migrant workers. They spent the prime of their life in the Jungle, and all those sweet promises during the insurgency period were shattered after the Maoists came into power. The lack of follow through by the Maoists leave the people wondering who can they trust now? The Nepalese have tried the entire spectrum of left and right politics. Everyone has tried their turn in power but none of them could ever represent on truth and transparency. Ever since the interim constitution came into existence, the political parties have been fighting each other for their own agendas, reserving their personal or regional interests above all. The internal issues always remains that an individual would receive benefits rather than the welfare of the larger community even at the cost of truth and integrity. Subedi says very strongly that,"the post truth culture is being favorably utilized by people who want to acquire power and take advantage of the people’s helplessness". (2016)

A few months ago, one of the leading media houses⁵ ended up broadcasting the fake and superficial interview with Kanchan Shrama. The emotional stories and tears of Kanchan had grabbed the attention of the whole globe. It is sad to hear that the people, who are professionals, do not see the importance of truth at the larger scale. How come Suman Kharel could project the bias version of the interview without doing any further investigation into the Kanchan and Mohan family issues. What is true? It seems that the truth has to occur in different faces in order to make them apparent . If the media itself does not demand its standard of truth, then how much more can it affect political leaders?

Coming to the development side of the situation, the country is not better. Last year’s earthquake has urged the world to pour out resources for the victims and the needy. The world has showed their solidarity, humanitarianism, love, and concern. Here, we stand in the center watching how the political leaders are fighting over the relief aid that was granted to the earthquake victims. However, the local government does not seem to take ownership on the damages and suffering some people face due to the length of their tedious fighting. The government has failed utterly in transparency and justice to its people. The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has shown that a large amount of governmental and non-governmental funds meant for earthquake survivors has been misused. In spite of this, the government still persists in not doing anything to improve the situation. One can look at the daily newspapers, social media, or even to the public speeches of those leaders who keep altering their agenda . Where is the truth? Let us look at the education professions which really pave the way for the posterity of the nation. How come politics has twisted the education site? The issue of Dr. Govinda KC, an orthopedic surgeon who has been sitting in hunger strikes time, has not been able to draw the government’s attention. The agreement signed by Dr. KC and the government has always only been a facade used to distract the Nepali citizens. The agreement has barred an affiliation to further medical colleges: yet Prime Minister Dahal was involved in creating pressure to grant affiliation to B&C Medical College Teaching Hospital and the Research Center based in Jhapa. How come politics do not see the law? Also, why do so-called responsible leaders go beyond the laws by acting in the interest of their own agenda at the cost of truth and integrity. Another thing that makes me pensive, is a kind of politics that permeates the university students where political interest gets much more solidity than fact and real truth. Sometimes, it seems these student wings are the battle ground of those political parties who are controlling the center.

3. Post-truth

The oxford Dictionary says “post-truth” is the defining phrase of our time, because it's usage increased by 2000% in 2016 compared to 2015. This has been associated with the phrase “post-truth politics” and got selected ahead of other political terms, including “Brexiteer” and “alt-right”. Truth aligning in art and avoidance in politics has resulted in the post-truth reality of Nepal. Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter has delivered his noble lecture on “Art, Truth and Politics” in 2005.

Political language, as used by politicians, does not venture into any of this territory [of the artist] since the majority of politicians, based on the evidence available to us, is interested not in truth but in power and in the maintenance of that power. To maintain that power, it is essential that people remain in ignorance, that they live in ignorance of the truth, even the truth of their own lives. What surrounds us therefore is a vast tapestry of lies, upon which we feed.

Having had the post-truth understanding, it would not be wise to undertake it in general because stating the post-truth is universally relevant in every situation. Truth is something that generates from one’s heart, therefore it is implausible and not simple to generalize the issue.

4. Conclusion

During the classical period, Aristides was remembered for his generalship in the Persian War. Aristides was praised by Socrates and Herodotus for being “the best and most honorable man that Athens ever produced”. Cincinnatus was also another Roman aristocrat and statesman, who became a dictator of Rome in 458BC and 439BC. However, he relinquished the office immediately once his duty was done. Cincinnatus was a model for many American politicians. George Washington was often compared to Cincinnatus for his willingness to give up the power once the crisis of the American revolution passed and victory had . In the modern era, we have ascertained political leaders like Martin Luther King who fought for the people and gave his life for equality, Mahatma Gandhi who was a preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India, Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning living monarch of Thailand who won many hearts in the country and out. They displayed a good example of doing politics, going beyond their self-interest and from the level of opportunism. For them, truth could not be suppressed by internal ambition or external influences . Therefore, truth can be inserted into the political arena, and this relies on one’s ethics and habits, which are directed by one’s heart and desire.

(I want to acknowledge Phil, David, Bhim, Tenner for their comments and ideas. Thank you!)

References:

Serchan, Sanjaya. NEPAL; Modernity, Multiculturalism and Marginalization. Kathmandu: Senfdin, 2010. Print

Bist, Dor Bahadur. Fatalism and Development: Nepal’s Struggle for Modernization. Kathmandu: Orient BlackSwan, 1991. Print

“The Journal of the Preceeding of the President, 1793-1797”. Papers of George Washington. Retrieved 2016-02-19. Web

“Post-truth' declared word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries.” BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 Nov. 2016. Web. 27 Dec. 2016. .

Adhikari, Dharma. Journalism of “Pusti”. My Republica. 5 Dec. 2016. Web. 27 Dec. 2016.

Subedhi, Abhi. “Nepal and Post-truth.” The Kathmandu Post. 11 Dec. 2016. Web. 27 Dec. 2016.

“Quake releif funds misused: CIAA.” The Kathmandu Post. 30 Nov. 2015. Web. 27 Dec. 2016.

"Harold Pinter – Nobel Prize For Literature Speech – Art, Truth & Politics (HQ)", introduced by David Hare, More 4, Channel 4 (UK), 7 December 2005, Google Video, (posted) 16 November 2008.

Bacevich, Andrew. THE LIMITS OF POWER:The End of American Exceptionalism New York: Metropolitan Books/ Henry Holt & Company, 2008. Print.

1 Quoted from https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/word-of-the-year/word-of-the-year-2016

2Quoted from http://epaper.ekantipur.com/epaper/the-kathmandu-post/2016-12-11/pages/f97a60f1bd_2016-12-11_7.pdf

3 ‘Ma’- I, Noun/First Person

4 ‘Apno Manchhe’- My kins/relatives

5 The Kantipur TV’s programme “Suman Sang” was aired the interview with Kanchan Sharma. which then became the issue for debates and questions after her husband Mohan Regmi defended himself and his children.