Post-truth politics and the resilience of the public sphere in Europe,

This book examines the phenomenon of post-truth politics within the context of a profound transformation of political culture, the public sphere, and democracy. It engages with the current debate surrounding the interpretation of post-truth politics and its impact on contemporary democracies. It addresses the question of whether post-truth politics represent a fundamental shift towards an era of post-democracy (Crouch, 2020), or if there is a potential to foster democratic resilience and renewal in response to post-truth. In addition to diagnosing the post-truth era, the book provides an in-depth, empirical analysis of the various manifestations of post-truth politics in contemporary European democracies. These include the dissemination of misinformation and conspiracy theories via traditional and social media, threats to electoral integrity, challenges to scientific communication, the (ab)use of artificial intelligence for content generation and diffusion, and threats to journalists' freedom and the responsibility of the press. Finally, the book provides a detailed overview of the countermeasures and policies currently in place in response to the post-truth challenge, paying particular attention to the role of the EU in safeguarding democracy in Europe and on specific national approaches.