Deception and Lies in Politics and Social Media: Cross-disciplinary Perspectives

Social media and the internet have transformed how we access information, yet they have simultaneously fueled a crisis of deception, misinformation, and disinformation that challenge the very foundations of democratic society.Truth-telling, once a cornerstone of public discourse, has been undermined and increasingly replaced by the strategic use of deception-"alternative facts," conspiracy theories, self-serving fabrications, and half-truths are now rewarded and even celebrated as effective tools for shaping public opinion, despite their profound dangers.What was once a clear separation of truth and lies has now become blurred. This book explores lying and deception in social media and politics through a multidisciplinary lens, drawing on insights from psychology, religious studies, communication, political science and public administration, and public health.Contributing authors examine this urgent problem, offering explanations for the prevalence of deception while analysing its seri