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Part of
The Pragmatics of Hypocrisy
Edited by Sandrine Sorlin and Tuija Virtanen
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series 343] 2024
► pp. 98–124

Chapter 5
Hypocrisy, authenticity, and the rhetorical dynamics of populism

| Åbo Akademi University

Charges of hypocrisy are a feature of public life: government actions contradict their own commitments; private failings of public figures are exposed in the media. However, declining trust in politicians has coincided with the rise of populists vowing to sweep away “elite” corruption – to “drain the swamp” in Donald Trump’s phrase. In populist rhetoric, the “will of the people” is honest and unambiguous, its disregard for accepted norms proof of its courage and authenticity. This chapter first proposes a typology of hypocrisy allegations in mainstream British media. Then, through analysis of examples from coverage of climate activism, it shows how, in populist discourse, allegations of hypocrisy serve to stifle debate and discredit valid positions, while reinforcing the authenticity of the popular will.

Keywords: hypocrisy allegations, authenticity, populist discourse, mainstream British press, climate activism
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Truth, populism, and the public sphere
    • 2.1Truth and post-truth
    • 2.2Populism
  • 3.Types of hypocrisy in public discourse
  • 4.Double standards in public life
    • 4.1Shocking exposures
      • 4.1.1The downfall of Tim Yeo
      • 4.1.2Matt Hancock caught in the act
      • 4.1.3The Mail vs. the BBC
    • 4.2Hypocrisy in practice
  • 5.Hypocrisy and the tabloids: Reporting climate activism
    • 5.1Thunberg at Davos
    • 5.2Preaching to the masses
    • 5.3“Eco-hypocrites”
    • 5.4Hypocrisy and religion
  • 6.Hypocrisy and authenticity
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 1 March 2024
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/pbns.343.05gil
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