Economic and Social Policies
Throughout history, governments have used economic policies to shape societies—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. This section looks at how gaslighting has been used to justify failed policies, shifting the narrative away from accountability and towards manipulation of public perception.
The Great Chinese Famine (1959-1961)
The Chinese Communist Party under Mao Zedong gaslighted the public by blaming natural disasters for the deaths of millions during the Great Famine, avoiding responsibility for the failed policies of the Great Leap Forward. This narrative manipulation misled the public into believing that the famine was unavoidable, rather than a direct consequence of government policy.
The Great Depression and New Deal Policies
Critics argue that New Deal policies were framed as the only solution to the economic crisis, gaslighting the public into believing free-market principles caused the downturn, while sidelining debates about the long-term impact of big government interventions.
Socialism and the Welfare State
In countries like Venezuela and the Soviet Union, socialist leaders gaslighted the public by blaming external forces for economic failures, misleading citizens into believing that socialism was not responsible for ongoing poverty and decline.
Please note: The topics shared in this section are examples and not intended to be an exhaustive list of gaslighting or poetic truth instances in history or modern times. Please visit the website regularly, as our team continues to research and add new topics on an ongoing basis.