Knowledge diplomacy as kingmaker in the post-factual era

Hernandez, Ariel
External Publications (2018)

published on Diplomatisches Magazin 10/2018

Volltext/Document

The fundamental importance of expert knowledge for policy-making had been broadly accepted. Scientific and technical understanding provided a framework for collective decision-making. Objectivity was needed to help bridge gaps between political views. But now in the post-factual era, the objectivity of expert knowledge is suddenly being called into question. So what is causing science and facts to suddenly be perceived as substitutes for normative political decisions? Why are the supporters of right-wing and left-wing strongmen rejecting facts? Does society now want policy-making to be based on ignorance instead of knowledge? In search of the answers to these questions, it is worth taking a closer look at knowledge diplomacy.

About the author

Hernandez

Further experts

Christ, Simone

Social Anthropology 

Dang, Vy

Political Science 

Dippel, Beatrice

Comparatist 

Flaig, Merlin

Social Science 

Hornidge, Anna-Katharina

Development and Knowledge Sociology 

Reiners, Wulf

Political Science 

Roll, Michael

Sociology 

Sakketa, Tekalign Gutu

Agricultural / Development Economics 

Schwachula, Anna

Sociology 

Stamm, Andreas

Geographer 

Vogel, Johanna

International Cultural Economy 

Walle, Yabibal

Development Economics 

Zintl, Tina

Political Scientist