THE ROLE OF LYING IN POLITICS

Abstract

The aim of my paper is to discuss the question of whether in the politicalclimate lying is to be seen as a skill, something that an effective politician must do,or whether it is an absolute “no go” realm. Are lying and deception necessary“skills” for achieving success in politics? Is truthfulness in politics a contradictionin itself? Is the political business as such not dirty by nature? When we think aboutthe remarkable number of lies which have been concocted and distributed bypoliticians in the recent past, the impression that politics and lies indeed go handin-hand emerges, and that the ideal image of politics as a rational instrument forthe formulation of generally binding objectives is fraudulent. Should a distinctionbe made between lies that pursue harmful goals and lies that aim to achieve a goodaim? Should politicians be morally justified to lie in order to realise well-meantpolitical objectives?