MovieChat Forums > The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear (2004) Discussion > Political Lies

Political Lies

posted 18 years ago by whatswrongwithworld
4 replies | jump to latest

I found out recently that the UK has no law forbidding politicians lying. This is unlike any other part of society (if a corporation lies they are accountable, as are you and I), and leads to the complete unaccountability seen in the wake of the Iraq war. Intelligence was exaggerated and selected with an agenda (cf. the "Downing Street Memo"), but there is no way in which Blair and co can actually be tried for [u]lying[/u]...
Anyone else think this is a bit messed up?

[–] whatswrongwithworld 18 years ago

Hitler:

"The broad mass of a nation...will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one"

[–] whatswrongwithworld 18 years ago

I have posted a few things on the website (mo-truth.blogspot.com/2007/01/beginners-guide-to-ministry-of-truth) under the name 'catullus' trying to get a discussion going there. Not had any luck yet... If anyone's interested and in the mood for political debate look it up.:)

[–] St_lux_s_sauvert 18 years ago

in any advanced society, what would prevent politician from lying would be the risk of loosing their reputation and credibility, rather than a judicuary prossecution system.
Unfortunately, they seem to have no credibility allready, and this somehow became acceptable, giving them carte blanche to lie and get away with it.

[–] clashcityrockers_101 18 years ago

I think the problem is the goldfish memory of the electorate - and also the paralysing assumption that corrupt/lying politicians are the norm. that said, i dont think the solution is to hold politicians accountable judicially, which would be to give unelected judges power over elected representatives. instead i think the answer is a more vigorous and demanding media.