We live in a world characterised by the conflict between facts and systematic political lying. This tradition threatens to change our view of history and politics. Some of the features of lies and secrets are present in the Jamaican society, both in the public and private spheres.

There is a source that defines lies as false statements that are asserted to be true. The telling of lies is deliberate. They are constructed in terms of what must be told and the nature of the audience to whom they are to be told. Lies lead to deception and historically they are associated with secrets. The latter is linked to hiding the truth and also has to do with whom to tell and how much to be told. There is a school of thought that argues that lies are used as deliberate means to achieve political ends.

According to political philosopher Hannah Arendt, “Truthfulness has never been counted among political virtues, and lies have been regarded as justifiable tools in political dealings.” He suggests that lies are often more plausible and more appealing to reason than reality. Against this background, the writer suggests that lies are justified as useful political tools for sustaining political power. The thinking exists that truth and commitment are at the heart of ethical practice and the practice of democracy.

Christian principles deem lying to be a sin. Both our traditional religious and educational institutions instructed us to tell the truth always, cost it what it will. In a general introduction to ethics, a major lesson is that lying is morally wrong because it breaches trust. The Bible tells us that, “Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbour,” (Exodus 20:16) and that, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.” (Proverbs 12: 22)

In modern times there seems to be a history of lies as a central feature in both American domestic and foreign policy. There are questions about the blowing up of the ships in Havana Harbour, the start of the Spanish American War of the late 19th century, and the attack of the ship in the Bay of Tonkin that was used as the motivation to invade Vietnam. Lies were used to achieve that political ends and most of the American people believed the lie. I read somewhere of a woman who collected an award of the highest honour for her son who was killed in Vietnam. She complained that she thought that Vietnam was a neighbour of America.

Lies and secrets became features in the private sector, reflecting a corrupted society. So lies, deception, and secrecy were not monopolised by the public sector but was increasingly becoming a dominant feature in the private sphere. During the 1990s CEOs of major financial companies and banks actively lied to clients and the public resulting in investors losing their money and a meltdown in the financial sector.

There are also lies and secrecy in education and religious intuitions about child abuse and other wrongs.

It is, therefore, not surprising that in the 21st century former US President Donald Trump and US Congressman George Santos have resurrected the tradition of lying in American history and politics.

Prior to, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic we witnessed the power of the Internet in the 21st century as the first truly global communication medium. This medium was used by Donald Trump during his campaign for presidency and even after his loss in the 2020 election to spread lies that resulted in serious consequences, especially the January 6 assault on Capitol Hill.

According to historical notes, Trump has told over 30,000 lies while he was president. In spite of his lies, he remains a popular figure within the American political setting.

Like Trump, Santos was elected in 2022 to the American Congress on the basis of lies.

The rise of political realism has ushered in a new period of lies and moral pollution. Countries like Jamaica are being forced to embrace and apply values form the North that have been associated with high levels of homicide, drug addiction, white-collar and other related crimes, as well as a new individualism that has destroyed traditional family values.

Louis E A Moyston, PhD, is a consultant and radio talk show presenter. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or thearchives01@yahoo.com.