On December 11th, the JASON Institute Activities Committee organized the event “The Erosion of Fact in US Politics: Implications for Foreign Policy and International Cooperation” at The Humanity Hub in The Hague.
The event featured a panel of academics from the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University: Dr. Jack Thompson Lecturer in the American Studies department at UvA, Dr. W.M. Schmidli, U.S. foreign relations historian and Assistant Professor at LU, and Dr. Brandon Zicha, Assistant Professor in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Leiden University College (LUC).
The evening began with a brief introduction to the concept of “post-truth” and its relevance to the conversation.
The first half of the evening was dedicated to a panel discussion, during which the speakers explored critical themes such as the consequences of the erosion of facts in American domestic politics and its reverberations on the global stage. Key topics included the implications for the rule of law, the risks posed by unchecked political power, and the weakening of democratic principles. The discussion also touched upon the impact of these developments on the international perception of the United States and its ability to promote democracy abroad.
The second half of the event featured a dynamic Q&A session with the audience. Questions raised included:
- The specific repercussions of “post-truth” politics on U.S. foreign policy.
- The broader implications for international cooperation and global governance.
- How the weakening of democratic norms in the U.S. affects its credibility and influence in promoting democratic values worldwide.
The event provided a platform for a constructive and dynamic discussion with the guest speakers as well as attendees, shedding light on the profound implications of the “post-truth” era for both domestic and international politics.
