The Art of Political Lying (annotated) (Humanities Collections Book 13)

“Is it necessary to deceive the people for its own sake? It is the question that The art of political lying posed with some satirical flavour. This pamphlet is indeed “the art of making people believe in beneficial falsehoods for any good purpose.” This subtle art is based on some complicated calculations of which the text sets out the principles : avoid the lies from any possible verifications ; never overstepped the bounds of plausibility ; varying illusions to infinity ; streamline the production of political fakes by create "groups of liars”. This short treatise has retained all its relevance : the lie of today strangely looks like that of yesterday. The art of political lying brings a small but important contribution to contemporary political debate. (...) The analogy with any politicians or any political parties of the past, present, and future shall in no case be a coincidence.” – Jean-Jacques Courtine, « Le Mentir vrai ».