Post-Truth Politics and the Competition of Ideas

“Post-truth” politics is often framed as a failure of the competition idea­s. Yet there are different ways thinking about ideas, with implications for way we understand its benefits and risks. The dominant framing ideas in terms marketplace, which, however, obscures can compete. Several theorists help us think through ideas. J. S. Mill, example, avoided metaphor market by focusing, instead, on testing arguments adversarial encounters before critical audience. Georg Simmel, alternatively, conceived form indirect conflict, where two individuals strive parallel to gain audience approval. This view emphasizes innovation creativity “all all.” More recently, have developed logic marketplace not but rationalizations. articulates some features Simmel’s competition, underestimates degrees constraint required secure goods competition. Ultimately, recognizing these modes public sphere enrich our theories deliberative democracy sharpen problem “post-truth” politics.