Social Europe

  • EU Forward Project
  • YouTube
  • Podcast
  • Books
  • Newsletter
  • Membership

Transatlantic Lies

Maxime Larivé 29th March 2017

Maxime H. A. Larivé

Maxime H. A. Larivé

There is no such thing as post-truth or alternative facts. However, fact, integrity and transparency are the foundations of transatlantic democracies and the Euro-Atlantic community. The United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US) and now France have fallen into the same trap: campaigns based on extensive lies, tapping on emotion and frustration, and unaccountability fueling complex populist forces. Politics is a game wherein one walks on a fine line between truth and misleading facts. The pillars of the model of Western democracies, despite diverging political systems, have seen a vote in favor of an exit from the European Union, the election of Donald Trump, and now a French presidential race to be remembered for years to come.

Even though the result of the UK’s Brexit vote came as an unpleasant surprise for most Europeans, the desire to regain independence (‘take back control’) from Brussels has always been present in the British psyche. The point is not about the result, but rather about the type of campaign run by the Brexiteers: Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson and Michael Gove. Their campaign was structured around easily verifiable lies. The most infamous as the large contribution by London to the EU budget (“£350m a week”), which would supposedly be directly reallocated to finance and improve Britain’s National Health Service (NHS). Farage backtracked soon after winning the referendum. Other issues such as immigration, national sovereignty and democracy were utilized in order to foster an emotional reaction in the general public opinion.

Across the pond, the 2016 Presidential campaign was one of the most vitriolic in recent memory. The run-off between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump was not based on political substance and exchanges of ideas on policies, but rather on personal attacks and humiliation of the other. If Trump supporters expressed a radical disagreement with the political and economic establishment, the message was misleading. The dehumanization of the ‘other,’ from the media to foreigners, was shocking. The narratives of a greater America through protectionist trade policies, rigid immigration policies (wall with Mexico and the ‘Muslim ban’), zero-sum foreign and defense policy spoke to a broad American audience. Unfortunately, these pledges are not only unrealistic, but structurally in contradiction with the historical foundations of the US and the order promoted since 1945.

In France, the next president will be elected on May 7. The ongoing presidential campaign is quite similar in terms of trends as what was observed and experienced in the UK and the US. The fact that two prominent candidates, Marine Le Pen and François Fillon, are embroiled with French and European judicial authorities over mismanagement of public and European funds is remarkable. Weeks ago, Fillon publicly promised to drop out from the race if he were to be placed under formal investigation. This occurred and he has now pledged to fight to the end. He has since described his situation as a ‘political assassination,’ severely attacked the media and developed a narrative of being a victim. Le Pen has adopted the same approach of victimization and denies any wrongdoings.

The overall argument here is not against the radical shift occurring in the UK, US and potentially France, but the ways these domestic changes and populist movements are fueled by lies. The case for a more transparent, fair and efficient EU can (and should) be made; the case for greater social and economic equality in America is fundamental; and the case for a more energetic, cohesive and dynamic French economy and society is more than valid. But the manner used in political campaigns grounded on lies, ideologies and demise for democratic principles leads to disastrous outcomes without any proper long-term strategies.

In Britain, former Prime Minister Cameron was defending the integrity of the union of the UK, while making a case in Brussels for an anti-integration and ultra-sovereigntist argument. In France, right and left have been unable to answer the following dilemma: how to protect and reform the welfare state without scaring global markets and while achieving sustainable growth? In the US, debate and policies have remained deeply embedded in ideologies affecting any prospect of regulating the foundations of neoliberalism. All these cases illustrate a continuous undermining of the social fabric.

The UK is confronted with a hard Brexit as the Conservative establishment led by Prime Minister May tries to sell a promising future of a Global Britain. If the future of the UK in the EU appears improbable, the unity of the UK is directly on the line with Scotland reflecting on its European and UK futures and an Ireland facing old ghosts. In the US, the Trump administration is unable to govern and jumps from one crisis to another. The strategy emerging from the White House is to continue spreading more lies. In France, the executive members of Les Républicains confirmed their support for Fillon. In the event he wins, it is quite difficult to foresee a president being able to govern and bring in the reforms of austerity he has been advocating.



Don't miss out on cutting-edge thinking.


Join tens of thousands of informed readers and stay ahead with our insightful content. It's free.



The 2008 financial crisis exposed the weaknesses of the system and the lack of accountability in the narratives of the political class. The transatlantic electorate has lost trust in the political process and is willing to believe in a fabricated future. Last, the transatlantic cacophony caused by unquantifiable amounts of information fosters doubt where none should exist.

Transatlantic lies are one thing. But the demise of democratic foundations and political integrity as well as perpetual false accusations have become the new normal. Democracy is a complex process based on the principles of social trust and contract. The erosion of trust in the UK, US and France is a direct consequence of a political elite obsessed by its wealth and power. Unfortunately, the real issues of social and economic inequalities, climate change, reform of the welfare state and redesign of a global trading model are not addressed. The spread of lies may serve the political class in the short-term, but could directly damage the foundations of transatlantic democracies and community.

Maxime Larivé

Maxime H. A. Larivé (PhD) is the Associate Director and Director of Graduate Studies at the European Union Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was also a Consultant for the European Commission/PPMI serving as the country expert for the U.S. on a global project studying the public perception of the EU in several strategic countries.

Harvard University Press Advertisement

Social Europe Ad - Promoting European social policies

We need your help.

Support Social Europe for less than €5 per month and help keep our content freely accessible to everyone. Your support empowers independent publishing and drives the conversations that matter. Thank you very much!

Social Europe Membership

Click here to become a member

Most Recent Articles

u4219834dafae1dc3 2 EU’s New Fiscal Rules: Balancing Budgets with Green and Digital AmbitionsPhilipp Heimberger
u42198346d1f0048 1 The Dangerous Metaphor of Unemployment “Scarring”Tom Boland and Ray Griffin
u4219834675 4ff1 998a 404323c89144 1 Why Progressive Governments Keep Failing — And How to Finally Win Back VotersMariana Mazzucato
u42198346ec 111f 473a 80ad b5d0688fffe9 1 A Transatlantic Reckoning: Why Europe Needs a New Pact Beyond Defence SpendingChristophe Sente
u4219834671f 3 Trade Unions Resist EU Bid to Weaken Corporate Sustainability LawsSocial Europe

Most Popular Articles

u4219834647f 0894ae7ca865 3 Europe’s Businesses Face a Quiet Takeover as US Investors CapitaliseTej Gonza and Timothée Duverger
u4219834674930082ba55 0 Portugal’s Political Earthquake: Centrist Grip Crumbles, Right AscendsEmanuel Ferreira
u421983467e58be8 81f2 4326 80f2 d452cfe9031e 1 “The Universities Are the Enemy”: Why Europe Must Act NowBartosz Rydliński
u42198346761805ea24 2 Trump’s ‘Golden Era’ Fades as European Allies Face Harsh New RealityFerenc Németh and Peter Kreko
startupsgovernment e1744799195663 Governments Are Not StartupsMariana Mazzucato
u421986cbef 2549 4e0c b6c4 b5bb01362b52 0 American SuicideJoschka Fischer
u42198346769d6584 1580 41fe 8c7d 3b9398aa5ec5 1 Why Trump Keeps Winning: The Truth No One AdmitsBo Rothstein
u421983467 a350a084 b098 4970 9834 739dc11b73a5 1 America Is About to Become the Next BrexitJ Bradford DeLong
u4219834676ba1b3a2 b4e1 4c79 960b 6770c60533fa 1 The End of the ‘West’ and Europe’s FutureGuillaume Duval
u421983462e c2ec 4dd2 90a4 b9cfb6856465 1 The Transatlantic Alliance Is Dying—What Comes Next for Europe?Frank Hoffer

Eurofound advertisement

Ageing workforce
The evolution of working conditions in Europe

This episode of Eurofound Talks examines the evolving landscape of European working conditions, situated at the nexus of profound technological transformation.

Mary McCaughey speaks with Barbara Gerstenberger, Eurofound's Head of Unit for Working Life, who leverages insights from the 35-year history of the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS).

Listen to the episode for free. Also make sure to subscribe to Eurofound Talks so you don’t miss an episode!

LISTEN NOW

Foundation for European Progressive Studies Advertisement

Spring Issues

The Summer issue of The Progressive Post is out!


It is time to take action and to forge a path towards a Socialist renewal.


European Socialists struggle to balance their responsibilities with the need to take bold positions and actions in the face of many major crises, while far-right political parties are increasingly gaining ground. Against this background, we offer European progressive forces food for thought on projecting themselves into the future.


Among this issue’s highlights, we discuss the transformative power of European Social Democracy, examine the far right’s efforts to redesign education systems to serve its own political agenda and highlight the growing threat of anti-gender movements to LGBTIQ+ rights – among other pressing topics.

READ THE MAGAZINE

Hans Böckler Stiftung Advertisement

WSI Report

WSI Minimum Wage Report 2025

The trend towards significant nominal minimum wage increases is continuing this year. In view of falling inflation rates, this translates into a sizeable increase in purchasing power for minimum wage earners in most European countries. The background to this is the implementation of the European Minimum Wage Directive, which has led to a reorientation of minimum wage policy in many countries and is thus boosting the dynamics of minimum wages. Most EU countries are now following the reference values for adequate minimum wages enshrined in the directive, which are 60% of the median wage or 50 % of the average wage. However, for Germany, a structural increase is still necessary to make progress towards an adequate minimum wage.

DOWNLOAD HERE

S&D Group in the European Parliament advertisement

Cohesion Policy

S&D Position Paper on Cohesion Policy post-2027: a resilient future for European territorial equity

Cohesion Policy aims to promote harmonious development and reduce economic, social and territorial disparities between the regions of the Union, and the backwardness of the least favoured regions with a particular focus on rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition and regions suffering from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, such as outermost regions, regions with very low population density, islands, cross-border and mountain regions.

READ THE FULL POSITION PAPER HERE

ETUI advertisement

HESA Magazine Cover

With a comprehensive set of relevant indicators, presented in 85 graphs and tables, the 2025 Benchmarking Working Europe report examines how EU policies can reconcile economic, social and environmental goals to ensure long-term competitiveness. Considered a key reference, this publication is an invaluable resource for supporting European social dialogue.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Social Europe

Our Mission

Team

Article Submission

Advertisements

Membership

Social Europe Archives

Themes Archive

Politics Archive

Economy Archive

Society Archive

Ecology Archive

Miscellaneous

RSS Feed

Legal Disclosure

Privacy Policy

Copyright

Social Europe ISSN 2628-7641

BlueskyXWhatsApp