Authoritarian Truth

They like to get you in a compromising position
They like to get there and smile in your face
They think they're so cute when they got you in that position
Well I think it's a total disgrace
--John Cougar Mellencamp

In the Road to Serfdom, Hayek wrote that in totalitarian countries, 'truth' is not determined by logic, reason, or the scientific method. Instead, truth is announced by 'authorities'--authorities connected to government.

These announcements are claimed to constitute 'the consensus.'

The citizenry is told to accept the consensus truth...or else.

Hayek understood then what we are coming to understand now.