By M.K.George
Rome, September 10, 2026:Sounds shocking?
But there is substantial evidence confirming the statement in a recent, well-researched book by the well-known author Moisés Naím and Quico Toro, Charlatans: How Grifters, Swindlers, and Hucksters Bamboozle the Media, the Markets, and the Masses (New York: Basic Books, 2025).
They point out that “for centuries charlatans have been bamboozling victims. But today, charlatanry is more lucrative and global than ever. Using the power of technology, our age’s charlatans have spun a worldwide web of exploitation on an unprecedented scale.”
Who are Charlatans?
They are people who falsely claim to have special knowledge, skills, or powers in order to deceive others, usually for money, fame, or influence. They pretend to be experts without having either the qualifications or evidence to support their claims.
For example, in our villages we find people pretending to be doctors and selling medicines for incurable diseases. Or someone who claims to be a fortune teller, or claims to have supernatural healing powers, and so on.
Charlatans win by deception, false promises, and people’s trust.
How are they ruling the world?
The book explores how fraudsters, manipulators, and deceptive leaders exploit human psychology to gain money, influence, and power.
Modern charlatans use many of the same techniques as historical con artists: building trust, exploiting hopes and fears, creating false authority, and manipulating social proof.
However, the internet, social media, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrencies have made deception faster, more global, and more powerful.
Through examples involving health gurus, politicians, conspiracy theorists, televangelists, and crypto scammers, the book explains why even intelligent people can be deceived.
Ultimately, it encourages scepticism, critical thinking, and careful evaluation of information.
Continuity in Naím’s Books
One fascinating thing about Naím’s works is the originality and continuity in his thinking. His books consistently analyse the changing nature of power.
In The End of Power, he argues that traditional power is weakening: authority is easier to challenge, acquire, and lose.
In The Revenge of Power, he develops this idea by showing how powerful leaders respond to this fragmentation through the “three Ps”: Populism, Polarisation, and Post-truth, which can restore and concentrate power while undermining democracy.
The latest book, Charlatans, extends this argument beyond formal politics, showing how deception exploits weakened trust and information overload.
Across his books, Naím examines how power adapts, survives, and manipulates people despite technological and social change.
The central continuity is this: power does not disappear; it changes its form and develops new methods.
The danger becomes even greater when advanced technology like AI enables charlatans to produce convincing falsehoods, manipulate public opinion, and reach millions of people.
Universal Application of the Analysis
A scientific concept is appreciated for its capacity to help humans understand reality as widely as possible.
As one looks around the world and at its leadership, including the world’s largest and oldest democracies, the analysis of Naím looks increasingly relevant.
The world’s political leadership seems increasingly capable of strengthening power acquired through democratic processes and using it to undermine democracy and the rule of law.
The widespread use of the three Ps—polarisation, populism, and post-truth—along with advanced technology, is creating a frightening scene across the world.
Call for Deeper Intellectual Analysis and Widespread Popular Education
The books by Naím challenge the world to undertake a sharper and more consistent analysis of the situation, along with widespread popular education.
Charlatans are spreading dreams based on lies with the help of advanced technology. Unless this is challenged, the consequences for democracy and human society could be extremely serious.
Maybe we should study the book, discuss it with our friends and neighbours, and set out on an action programme along the lines suggested in the book.
“Becoming cognizant of the challenge in front of us is always the first step in rising to it… This is vital work because our dreams are who we are: to protect them is to defend our truest selves.”
Indian Jesuit Father George Mutholil, based in Rome, serves as the Society of Jesus’ General Counsellor and Regional Assistant for South Asia. He advises on matters specific to this region while also supporting the Superior General on broader issues of governance.