Overview

Critically re-examines canonical theories of biopolitics in the post-truth context Argues for a positive role of truth-telling in the democratisation of biopolitical governance Undertakes a genealogical investigation of the origins of the contemporary post-truth regime in early post-communist politics Puts forward an innovative theory of the speech act of truth-telling in democratic biopolitics Draws on familiar examples from contemporary politics such as Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Greta Thunberg and Brexit What makes post-truth politics so difficult to resist is its apparently democratic character that claims to challenge bureaucratic depoliticisation, the rule of experts and the disappearance of alternatives to the hegemonic policy. Sergei Prozorov refutes this interpretation, arguing that the post-truth ideology leads to the degradation of the public sphere that is essential to democratic governance. Rather than enable resistance to expertise-based biopolitical governmentalities, truth denialism dissolves the only framework where their contestation and transformation could take place. In contrast, Biopolitics after Truth argues for a positive role of truth-telling in the democratisation of biopolitical governance.

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9781474485791

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"""In this highly original book, Sergei Prozorov breaks new ground by offering a penetrating critique of a notorious contemporary phenomenon, post-truth politics, through the lenses of affirmative biopolitics. Biopolitics after truth is no longer about bringing a politically neutral or incontestable notion of truth back into politics but about pursuing politics as a performative act of truth-telling. A much needed contribution to a theory of democratic biopolitics, this is engaged political philosophy at its best."" -Vassilios Paipais, University of St Andrews"

Author Information

Sergei Prozorov is Professor of Political Science at the University of Jyv skyl . He is the author of books including The Biopolitics of Stalinism (2016) and Agamben and Politics (2014), also published by Edinburgh University Press. He has published over 30 articles in major international journals. His research interests include political philosophy, theories of democracy and totalitarianism, biopolitics and governance.

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