Maybe to an extent, but I wouldn't expect children to understand things they are not yet psychologically developed sufficiently to understand. I don't think it would be fair to expect more than they are psychologically capable of.
I see what you are saying, SH, but the unpleasant truth of the matter is that not everybody is sincere and honest, especially in the corrupt world of politics, and children won't realise that until they are older. Some people have (Heaven forbid) Jekyll-and-Hyde split personalities, and sometimes we don't discover that about certain individuals until we are adults. How many little children understand that?
I'm not saying they understand by intellect, but their senses will in many cases be better developed than the adults. Who was it who said "The Emperor Wears No Clothes"?
That was Jack Herer (1939-2010). He began work on it in 1973 and it was eventually published in 1985. What does that have to do with the topic of this discussion? I haven't read "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" myself, so I wouldn't know.
"The Emperor's New Clothes", a short tale by Hans Christian Andersen. It's all about what we talk about here, children seeing the naked truth whereas adults neglect whats in front of them... It's all empty barrels talk with promises of what will be false glitter.
Hmmm. That wasn't what came up when I Googled "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" (which was what you mentioned in your earlier posting), so I guess it has nothing to do with Hans Christian Andersen's differently-titled "The Emperor's New Clothes". This puts a completely different perspective on it.
The boy says "But he isn't wearing anything at all!". It's talked about as "The Emperror Wears No Clothes". I'm sorry I didn't make the exact and correct quote.
The phrase has been often used and does indeed originate with Anderson's tale. Whether that phrase is used verbatim within the story or not, it is where the concept comes from. It is also undoubtedly the origin of the book title.
It simply means that people often believe the fiction, whether in political or social constructs, rather than the obvious truth.
Your question brings to mind an old show called Kids Say The Darndest Things. The discussions on the thread seem to be focused on the intellectual capacity of children. Asking them a question doesn't rise to the level of expecting them to be informed and thoughtful voters.
Benedict Arnold 