ETH Evening Talks: The Death of Expertise
Since the introduction of the 24-hour news cycle, the Internet and social media, political communication has undergone a dramatic change. Experts have not been spared from the impact of these developments. Their authority has faded. This is a particularly significant issue for democracies as it raises the question of whose information and assessments we should rely on. This uncertainty also has an influence on discourse in the complex field of foreign and security policy.
Professor Tom Nichols from the US Naval War College and author of the book “The Death of Expertise” discussed these matters with the Tages Anzeiger’s David Hesse during an Evening Talk on 25 March 2019. Both speakers agreed that experts are indispensable for democratic discourse on foreign and security policy. However, it is also is up to experts to ensure that they have the trust of the public by responsibly dealing with their social role.