Truth, Trust and Impression-management in Democratic legitimacy

Main Article Content

John Dunn
Alessandra Affortunati Martins
Eduardo Seincman

Abstract

In the intellectual history of the West, democracy has generally been viewed with fear or contempt. Over time, the countries of Europe, with different rhythms, accepted democracy as the best way to institutionalize the representation of the people in state institutions and organize these to ensure the deliberation and political choice of their citizens. However, this process was difficult and not free from complex problems. This article analyses this process of consolidation of representative democracy in contemporary societies with special emphasis on three central concepts: truth, trust and impression-management.

Article Details

Section

Contemporary Criticism

Author Biographies

John Dunn, Cambridge University

Professor of Political Theory at Cambridge University and emeritus professor at King's College.

Alessandra Affortunati Martins, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil

Psicanalist e PhD in Social Psicology from the University of São Paulo, posdoctorate in course in Philosophy at Federal University of São Paulo, researcher at the Edward Saïd's Chair/Unifesp, Brazil. 

How to Cite

Truth, Trust and Impression-management in Democratic legitimacy. EXILIUM Journal of Contemporary Studies, [S. l.], v. 2, n. 3, p. 335–363, 2021. DOI: 10.34024/exilium.v2i1.12909. Disponível em: https://periodicos.unifesp.br/index.php/exilium/article/view/12909. Acesso em: 5 dec. 2025.