Biopolitics After Truth: Knowledge, Power and Democratic Life

Post-truth politics is difficult to resist due to its democratic character, but Sergei Prozorov argues that it leads to the degradation of the public sphere and dissolves the framework where resistance to expertise-based biopolitical governmentalities can take place. Biopolitics after Truth argues for a positive role of truth-telling in the democratisation of biopolitical governance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Introduction:
The emergence of post-truth politics in recent years has posed significant challenges to democratic governance. While it claims to challenge bureaucratic depoliticisation, the rule of experts, and the disappearance of alternatives to the hegemonic policy, its apparent democratic character makes it difficult to resist. This essay aims to critically re-examine canonical theories of biopolitics in the post-truth context and argue for a positive role of truth-telling in the democratisation of biopolitical governance.
Post-truth Politics and the Democratisation of Biopolitical Governance:
Post-truth politics is often characterised as a rejection of objective truth and a prioritisation of subjective opinion. It is seen as a response to the perceived decline of trust in traditional sources of information, such as the media and academia, and the rise of alternative sources of information, such as social media and conspiracy theories. However, the democratic character of post-truth politics is contested. Sergei Prozorov, for example, argues that the post-truth ideology leads to the degradation of the public sphere, which is essential to democratic governance. He argues that truth denialism dissolves the only framework where the contestation and transformation of expertise-based biopolitical governmentalities could take place.
Genealogical Investigation of the Origins of the Contemporary Post-truth Regime:
In order to understand the origins of the contemporary post-truth regime, it is necessary to undertake a genealogical investigation of the early post-communist politics. This period saw the emergence of new political actors, such as Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Greta Thunberg, who used post-truth rhetoric to challenge established political institutions and ideologies. The rise of post-truth politics in this context can be seen as a response to the collapse of communism and the need for new political narratives that could appeal to a wider range of voters.
Innovative Theory of the Speech Act of Truth-Telling in Democratic Biopolitics:
In order to address the challenges posed by post-truth politics, it is necessary to develop an innovative theory of the speech act of truth-telling in democratic biopolitics. This theory should recognise the importance of truth-telling in democratic governance but also acknowledge the limitations of traditional truth-telling practices. One potential approach is to develop a theory of truth-telling that emphasises the role of dialogue and deliberation in the production and dissemination of information. This theory could be used to promote the development of more robust and inclusive democratic institutions that are better equipped to deal with the challenges posed by post-truth politics.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, post-truth politics poses significant challenges to democratic governance. However, this essay argues for a positive role of truth-telling in the democratisation of biopolitical governance. By undertaking a genealogical investigation of the origins of the contemporary post-truth regime and developing an innovative theory of the speech act of truth-telling, we can better understand the challenges posed by post-truth politics and develop strategies to address them. The democratisation of biopolitical governance is essential for the promotion of human rights, social justice, and environmental sustainability, and truth-telling can play a crucial role in achieving this goal.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474485791