GEDANKENDUSCHE: The double morality of truths

THOUGHT SHOWER: The Double Standard of Truths
Why Hate Is Prosecuted, but Deception Goes Unpunished – A Critical Look at the Morality of Power

Loitz, February 9, 2025

In a society where hate speech is punishable by law, political deception often remains without consequences. Why do different standards apply to citizens and politicians? Why are individuals held accountable for their words, while decision-makers can justify broken promises as "political strategy"?

The new thought shower, "The Double Standard of Truths," explores these contradictions and examines why deliberate political deception is systematically exempt from punishment—despite its significant social impact.

Truth as a Political Tool: When Does Lying Become the Norm?
Hate speech and incitement to hatred are not only moral offenses—they are also legal crimes. Those who insult groups or incite violence face prosecution, and rightly so. But what happens when political misinformation misleads entire nations?

A 2023 Oxford University study on political disinformation found that deliberate deception in election campaigns is often dismissed as a "communication strategy," even though it significantly distorts public opinion.

The European Commission considers "deliberate political misinformation" a threat to democracy, yet legal consequences remain rare—while social media users can face bans or prosecution for spreading false claims.

While an offensive comment online can have legal consequences, political deception often remains unpunished. Truth is not universally protected—it is defined by those in power.

Broken Election Promises: Deception Without Consequences
While citizens are legally responsible for their statements, political deception remains without repercussions. Promises made during election campaigns but later broken cannot be legally challenged, even though they undermine trust in democracy.

Some examples:

"Pensions are safe." (Norbert Blüm, 1986) – The pension system was reformed multiple times, benefits were lowered, and the retirement age was raised.
"We will not introduce a toll." (Angela Merkel, 2013) – A few years later, the car toll was introduced—then later overturned.
"The nuclear phase-out is irreversible." (Red-Green coalition, 2000) – In 2010, nuclear plant lifespans were extended, only to be reversed again in 2011 after Fukushima.
"There will be no mandatory vaccination under my leadership." (Olaf Scholz, 2021) – The government later supported a general vaccination mandate, but it ultimately failed.
"I am not running for chancellor." (Olaf Scholz, 2018) – In 2021, he became the SPD’s candidate for chancellor and won the election.
A 2022 study by the German Institute for Public Policy Research found that over 60% of election promises from the last three federal elections were later broken or reinterpreted. Yet such false claims are not considered fraud but rather "part of the election campaign"—a calculated game with public expectations, free from legal consequences.

Media as an Amplifier of Political Narratives
Which "truths" endure is largely determined by media coverage. But what happens when the media are not independent?

A 2023 Harvard Kennedy School study found that political narratives are often deliberately reinforced or suppressed, depending on dominant interests.

A 2024 study by the Otto Brenner Foundation on political journalism in Germany revealed that over 70% of leading media outlets are economically or politically intertwined, making neutral reporting difficult.

This influence is particularly evident during election campaigns:

Inconvenient truths receive less coverage or disappear entirely.
Political misinformation, when aligned with the "right" side, is often accepted uncritically.
Critical voices struggle to gain visibility.
The result: Political manipulation is not just tolerated—it is often actively supported.

Author’s Quote – Truth as a Privilege of the Powerful?
"Truth is demanded of the weak, while the powerful are free to speak into the void." – (Anselm Bonies)

Why This Thought Shower Matters
The thought shower, "The Double Standard of Truths," questions how truth and deception are manipulated in politics. Can a democracy remain credible if truth is defined by those in power?

Do we need stricter laws against targeted political disinformation?
Should election promises be subject to legal scrutiny?
How can the media better protect their independence?
This debate must happen—among citizens, the media, and politicians themselves. Democracy thrives on trust. And trust thrives on truth.

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