Language and self-awareness form the bedrock of human consciousness. Our sense of self consists largely of narratives that emerge in childhood and then tell ourselves throughout adulthood. And very often, the same verbal forms are used for our world views, political positions and attitude towards others in general. It takes conscious effort to question our own narratives. For politicians and billionaires, career needs take precedence.
Language and social class
Jane Austin is still with us in the 21st century, albeit less overtly. Conservative assumptions about social class permeate language at every level. Biographies refer to humble upbringing, or well-to-do parents. We are urged to realise our potential, do well for ourselves and our families. Striving to rise to a higher social class, for its own sake, has the status of a religious tenet. Business or career success is an unquestioned good. Conversely, no such embedded value judgements exist in mainstream talk of collectively reducing inequality or poverty.
Similar assumptions are embedded into traditional terms used for gender, sexuality, disability, race and religion. Despite recent progress, these too impart political bias at the level of language.
Language and politics
When these biases are challenged, the right-wing typically resorts to verbal sleight-of-hand. The range of logical fallacies is enormous. But the right–left political spectrum is not symmetrical. Extremism of right and left, is often decried by the centre-ground of state legislatures. But dishonesty in language (and in substance) is a fundamental necessity of the right-wing.
It is rare on the left. It is also unnecessary and counterproductive. Bias, deliberate and undeclared political position, is not effective. Commitment to a socialist agenda is best declared explicitly.
Political lies: The right-wing imperative
Ruling minorities must lie. Because there is never any absolute justification for rule by a minority class, even a mythical meritocracy. Distortion, obfuscation and outright lies are not simple lack of integrity. The political class is not linguistically incompetent. On the contrary, it is deliberate policy. They are very good at it. So, no surprise that trust in authority is currently running at record levels.
The Great Lie was used by the German Nazi Party and is used by Fascists today. Germany is run by a conspiracy of Jews and Communists? Germans are the ‘master race?’ The overwhelming majority of Germans must have known how ridiculous these lies were. But many thought that there must be some truth in them.
The left-wing has no need to lie: The objective truth is sufficient to make our case.
Content is paramount
Ultimately, content matters more than linguistic form. But no society can function if lying is widespread. 21st century capitalism is witnessing whole narratives that are fictitious. For example, the Bush-Blair 2002/3 claim that Iraq could, and might wish to, launch a missile attack on UK within 45 minutes.
Two decades on, right-wing demagogs and conspiracists are able to spin fake news with impunity.
The UK parliament’s handling of dishonesty is scandalous. Its Code of Conduct is entirely at the Speaker’s discretion. The Code simply states that “Holders of public office should be truthful.” An MP will be evicted and banned for a month for accusing another of lying. But thorough investigations into the accusations themselves are rare.
Pseudo socialists.
Anyone can claim to be socialist. National Socialism (e.g. Nazism) is an authoritarian relative of Fascism. Those who sink to such linguistic dishonesty must have something to hide. Likewise for insincerity, egoism, careerism or sectarianism.
Use and misuse of linguistic forms
Useful, but they need to be chosen carefully.
Metaphors
Metaphors are foundational within all language. They are indispensable in most explanatory texts. But they can also be used to mislead. For example, in the 1980s, UK Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, likened the UK economy to household finances. Households do not, of course, print money or make decisions affecting millions of people.
There are hundreds of widely used economic metaphors. Some are highly apt.
Dichotomies
These too are inevitable, but often cause great problems. Firstly, all dichotomies are ultimately false because there is always a fine-scale continuum between the end-points of the dichotomy. For example, the shades of grey between black and white. This does not mean that black and white are the same as each other as the ancient Greeks Sophists argued.
Actions
Sack Capitalist Politicians
Existing campaigns that call for transparency and integrity in public office are welcome. But they should raise their demands to include linguistic dishonesty. The code should allow for the dismissal of any individual found guilty of lying or otherwise deliberately misleading others. The penalty should allow a lifetime ban on holding any public office.
Ban Advertising
All advertising should be illegal. Virtually all adverts are misleading, otherwise, they wouldn’t work. The Consumers Association and online comparison websites should be combined into a free product information service. On a hundredth the present cost of adverting, more art, artists and artistry could provide genuine assistance for consumers.
13 September 2024
DPS
830 words
One Past. Many Futures. We Choose. 