Beyond Belief: Disinformation Strategies and Collective Knowledge Building Led by Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil

Abstract

The creation and distribution of disputable information is currently widespread and significant in the political debate. Explanations of this phenomenon usually imply that leaders exploit fragilities of their followers, such as lack of education or plain lack of understanding of the facts. We explore a competing interpretation: using a constructivist lens and building on scholarly work in the learning sciences, we investigate cognitive processes at play in political engagement that goes beyond “blind” belief in leaders. We conjecture that those leaders might be employing efficient learning strategies that legitimize their actions and inspire loyalty.