Propaganda & Persuasion

Persuasion A communication process to influence others Recipient voluntarily adopts new behavior or point of view Mutually satisfying Both persuader & persuadee stand to have needs fulfilled

Propaganda Deliberate & systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate congitions & direct behavior Goal is to further cause of propagandist No concern for well-being of recipient Though propagandist may profess concern

Propaganda Ultimate goal is to control public opinion & manipulate behavior Voting Buying products Joining an organization Fighting for a cause Etc.

Propaganda often involves n Concealed purpose n Concealed identity n Control of information flow

Play on emotion Avoid objectivity Discourage examination of evidence Often rely on symbols Are most effective when there is a vacuum of info around an issue Propaganda devices:

Charismatic figures Heavy symbolism Simple & incessant moral philosophy Understanding of audience needs Reliance on image & emotion Historically effective elements of propaganda

Propaganda throughout history n Generally in support of war or religion n Architecture & public monuments u Prestige & dynastic legitimacy

Alexander the Great n Symbolism of marriage Caesars of Imperial Rome n “corporate symbolism” n Art, architecture, literature, coinage

Religious propaganda n Often aimed at positive social or political purpose n Parables & metaphors u Eye of the camel, shepherd & flock n Crusades: religion & war

Forms of propaganda White propaganda Source is correctly identified Info is accurate Attempts to build credibility

Examples of white propaganda n Voice of America n National holidays n Olympics

Black Propaganda Credited to a false source Spreads lies, fabrications & deceptions Examples of black propaganda WWII radio leaflets

Gray Propaganda Source may or may not be correctly identified Accuracy of info is uncertain Examples of gray propaganda Distorted statistics Unsupported advertising claims

False, incomplete or misleading info fed to targeted individual, group or country News stories designed to weaken adversaries, planted by foreign agent journalists Disinformation (black propaganda)

Spreading of unfamiliar doctrine to build base of support for future use Builds friendly atmosphere & keeps lines of communication open for eventual use of propaganda tactics Often, though not always, aimed at news media Subpropaganda (facilitative communication)

Sometimes true But often exaggerated and/or fabricated Massacre Mutilation Mistreatment Hate propaganda (atrocity stories)

Brainwashing of prisoners Integration Propaganda Maintains the status quo Agitation Propaganda Arouse support for a cause Coercive Propaganda

Name calling Giving an ideal a bad label Glittering generality Association with a “virtue” word Transfer Of respect & authority 7 Common Propaganda Devices

Testimonial Respected or hated person speaks for an issue Plain Folks “of the people” Card Stacking Best or worse case Band Wagon “everybody is doing it”

Fear Appeals Disaster will ensue Euphemisms “Nice” words Two more common devices

Development of democratic institutions Improvements in transportation & communication Growth of mass media  bypasses traditional socializing institutions Reasons for growth in use of propaganda in 19th & 20th centuries

Emergence of mass audience Growth in advertising  consumer advertising tactics used to market politics

News Media & Propaganda Whenever possible, propagandists attempt to control the news media. The role of the news media in propaganda varies according to country and culture. In an open society, the news media are more often channels of propaganda than actual propagandists.

When the state controls the news media, they are often utilized for propaganda purposes. New technologies provide opportunities for propagandists (& counter-propagandists)