Politics the world over, and probably in all history, has always fed on incessant lies and half truths. However, the proliferation of the mass “media media-social media” convergence has engendered an explosive and domineering twist. This falls into what some thinkers now refer to as the “post-truth” era, revealing an historical angle to the pertinent subject matter. According to the Oxford dictionary “Post-truth” denote “circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” It is herein acknowledged that even though post-truth concept got its initial impetus from the US’ Nixonian Watergate scandal of the early 1970s, it climaxed during the 2016 Trump and Brexit campaigns, and now its synthesis blooms globally. The objective of the paper is to put the idea of post-truth into Kenyan perspective, construing the media-politics nexus there from. To achieve this, a history of colonial and post colonial systems of lies- “political-metamendacity matrix” PMM) is traced. It is established that the current wave of political lies in Kenya is a product of the very foundations of the state edifice, not only exacerbated by contemporary information implosion but also the myriad digital opportunities. The paper brings Kenya into the ongoing global conversation on the existence, meaning and ramification of the “post-truth.”
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Metamendacity-subjugationism nexus
3. Colonialism
4. Neo-colonialism
5. Neoliberalism
6. The reformed background!
7. Metamendacity and epistemic domination
8. Ethnocentrism
9. And now…
10. Conclusion
Research Objective and Scope
This paper explores the historical roots of the "post-truth" phenomenon within the Kenyan context by tracing the evolution of systemic political deception, termed the "political-metamendacity matrix." It investigates how colonial foundations, neo-colonial power dynamics, and neoliberal policies have historically shaped a culture where objective truth is systematically undermined by political rhetoric and digital information manipulation.
- Historical analysis of colonial and post-colonial systems of state deception in Kenya.
- The nexus between metamendacity, epistemic domination, and political subjugation.
- The influence of neoliberal economic policies on national political discourse.
- The role of media convergence and digital platforms in the rise of post-truth politics in Kenya.
- Critique of political ethnocentrism and the manipulation of democratic ideals.
Auszug aus dem Buch
Metamendacity-subjugationism nexus
The history of the colonial Kenya was closely tied to the political and economic interests of the colonial government and white settler community. The post-independence history has been tied to the outlandish converged forces of international capital and local greed. These found expression in institutionalized ethno-centrism (or ethno-otherism), corruption, primitive acquisition of wealth, nepotism, ineptitude, human rights abuse and underdevelopment (22). The post-independence period, presenting a history of national fissures, is also couched in incessant PMM(24). Even “Truth Justice and Reconciliation” initiative, engendered after the 2008 post election violence (PEV), pursuant to the National Reconciliation and Accord signed between Preseident Kibaki as the Party of National Union leader and Premier Raila Odinga as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader in 2008, to cure historical injustices, and which would have delved into the historical culture of official government lies, has since fallen into this PMM mound.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Establishes the global concept of "post-truth" and questions its novelty by framing it within the historical context of Kenyan political deception.
Metamendacity-subjugationism nexus: Analyzes how colonial and post-independence governance structures have relied on a matrix of official lies to maintain control and institutionalize corruption.
Colonialism: Examines the exploitative nature of British colonial rule and the establishment of "system-wide pressures" through fraudulent agreements and violence.
Neo-colonialism: Discusses the continuity of patron-client relationships post-independence and the negative impacts of Cold War geopolitical interests on Kenyan sovereignty.
Neoliberalism: Critiques the adoption of market-based reforms and their role in exacerbating economic instability and political deception in Kenya.
The reformed background!: Evaluates the limitations of the 2010 constitutional dispensation in overcoming the deeply ingrained culture of state-perpetrated lies.
Metamendacity and epistemic domination: Explores how knowledge and history were manipulated by colonial powers to assert intellectual and psychological superiority over Africans.
Ethnocentrism: Details how ethnic identity is weaponized by the political class to exclude opponents and justify the misallocation of state resources.
And now…: Connects historical patterns of deception to the modern digital era, highlighting the role of political communication and propaganda in shaping current electoral narratives.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the argument that post-truth is not a new phenomenon but a modern manifestation of long-standing systemic metamendacity accelerated by the digital revolution.
Keywords
Post-truth, Metamendacity, Colonialism, Neocolonialism, Neoliberalism, Kenya, Subjugationism, Epistemic Domination, Ethnocentrism, Political Deception, Digital Revolution, State Edifice, Propaganda, Power Misallocation, History.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the historical and contemporary manifestations of political deception in Kenya, defining it as a "political-metamendacity matrix" (PMM) that has persisted since the colonial era.
What are the primary themes explored in the text?
Key themes include colonial exploitation, neo-colonial power dynamics, the impact of neoliberalism, epistemic domination, ethnic-based political manipulation, and the rise of digital-era "post-truth" politics.
What is the main objective of this study?
The goal is to frame the global "post-truth" phenomenon within the specific Kenyan historical perspective, demonstrating that current political lies are rooted in the foundations of the state.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a historical-analytical approach, tracing political and legal developments from 1885 to 2017 to demonstrate the continuity of deception in governing institutions.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the colonial roots of state lies, the perpetuation of these patterns through neo-colonialism and neoliberalism, the role of epistemic domination in intellectual history, and the current use of digital media to spread propaganda.
Which specific terms define the essence of this paper?
Essential terms include metamendacity, PMM, epistemic domination, ethnocentrism, and the post-truth construct.
How does the author interpret the 2010 Kenyan Constitution in relation to political lies?
The author notes that while the new constitution aims for transparency, the forces of subjugation and the culture of government lies have persisted, often undermining constitutional spirit in legal and electoral processes.
In what way does the paper link the "digital revolution" to political deception?
The author argues that the digital revolution has caused an "information implosion," making it easier for political actors to fragment audiences and spread falsehoods, thereby amplifying the "post-truth" era.
- Citar trabajo
- Kiboyye Okoth-Yogo (Autor), Kenneth Uki (Autor), O.M. Awuor (Autor), 2017, Kenya’s Metamendacity History between 1885-2017 and the Ensuing "Post-Truth" Construct, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/383732
