On 1 February 2017 Ben O'Loughlin will give a talk at the University of Manchester entitled, Russia, Trump and the Post-truth Moment: A New Model of Influence in IR? The talk is part of the seminar series run by the Critical Global Politics group. Ben will evaluate claims that Russian disinformation has influenced events in world politics over the past twelve months and consider how Russia's efforts fit into the history of propaganda and public diplomacy. The post-truth, alternative-fact news environment seems to coincide with an unravelling of the liberal global order. Communication and international relations seemingly entwine in new and dangerous ways. Whether you live in Tallinn or Frankfurt, Sheffield or Memphis, can you be an informed citizen if you cannot trust the news that brings you the world? Democracy itself is rendered dysfunctional, according to the logic driving much commentary and policy debate.
Now is a good time to take stock of the evidence. If it cannot be demonstrated that Russian disinformation has had any kind of effect - "persuading foreigners is difficult", as diplomat Robert Cooper said - then there may be a more systematic set of problems undermining politics today.
When: 15:30 - 17:30
Where: Arthur Lewis Building, G.18, University of Manchester.
Further details here.
Thank you to Martin Coward for organising this seminar.