Posverdad y democracia en América Latina

Resumen

Post-truth has been linked to growing levels of polarisation and the erosion of democratic practice, including in Latin America. This exploration proposes reflecting on and studying the phenomenon of post-truth and its effects, addressing the risks to democratic life and to coexistence itself. In doing so, we ask specifically what role academia plays as a generator of knowledge and bearer of truth in a context where truth is losing importance. Based on a brief reflection on this issue, we postulate that academia can reclaim its role by undertaking the effort to seek truth hand in hand with the need to create understanding, as conceptualised by Hannah Arendt. Finally, we present some examples of innovative practices and concepts that are emerging as relevant for resisting, disrupting, and overcoming the post-truth political culture.