POLICY PARADOX – FACTS JESSICA ELIAZAR JESSICA ELIAZAR JESSICA ELLIOTT JESSICA ELLIOTT ASHLEY ECKES ASHLEY ECKES JASON DRENNING JASON DRENNING

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts.” - Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (Dem – NY)

Lecture Outline Two Faces of Persuasion Two Faces of Persuasion Rational – Democratic Model Rational – Democratic Model Totalitarian Model Totalitarian Model Polis Model Polis Model

Rational Ideal – Face 1 Persuasion Persuasion Coordinates/Controls Human Behavior Coordinates/Controls Human Behavior Rational Decisions Rational Decisions Frowns Upon Raw Emotion/Passion Frowns Upon Raw Emotion/Passion

"I DON'T KNOW WHICH PART OF THE PARTY IS GOING TO BE MORE INFLUENTIAL OR NOT," MCCAIN SAID. "I'VE TRIED ALWAYS IN MY POLITICAL CAREER TO HAVE A BIG TENT PARTY WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WELCOME WITH DIFFERING VIEWS." “SQUISH” MCCAIN ??

Government + The Rational Ideal Reason as Basis for Government Reason as Basis for Government Education Creates Equality Education Creates Equality Conflict Resolution Conflict Resolution Policy Ideas Policy Ideas

Persuasion or Propaganda? "WE SEE AL QAEDA GAINING STRENGTH," "WE SEE AFGHANISTAN SLIDING BACK INTO CHAOS."

Propaganda – Face 2 Intentionally Manipulative Intentionally Manipulative Robs People from Independent Thinking Robs People from Independent Thinking Where Should the Line be Drawn? Where Should the Line be Drawn? When Does Information Cross the Line? When Does Information Cross the Line?

Rational – Democratic Model Persuasion evokes images of reasoned and informed decision (the rational ideal) Persuasion evokes images of reasoned and informed decision (the rational ideal) Individuals formulate goals, gather information, and evaluate alternatives before making a choice Individuals formulate goals, gather information, and evaluate alternatives before making a choice Emphasis is placed on argument by fact and logic, as well as the use of the scientific method of discovery Emphasis is placed on argument by fact and logic, as well as the use of the scientific method of discovery

Rational – Democratic Model Reason is the basis for personal and government decisions. Reason is the basis for personal and government decisions. Democracy is government by discussion. Democracy is government by discussion. This form of persuasion is related to voluntarism. This form of persuasion is related to voluntarism. “The facts will speak for themselves.” “The facts will speak for themselves.”

Rational – Democratic Model Under this model, facts, data, and information are neutral, and can settle conflicts. Under this model, facts, data, and information are neutral, and can settle conflicts. “The pen is mightier than the sword.” “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Conflict derives from ignorance, not from differences in interest or character Conflict derives from ignorance, not from differences in interest or character

Rational – Democratic Model The government uses information and education to bring individual actions into harmony with the public interest. The government uses information and education to bring individual actions into harmony with the public interest. The rational ideal has brought about several policy ideas based on behavior change and persuasion. The rational ideal has brought about several policy ideas based on behavior change and persuasion. Educational campaigns for littering, smoking, safe driving, energy conservation, forest fires, recycling, etc Educational campaigns for littering, smoking, safe driving, energy conservation, forest fires, recycling, etc

Rational – Democratic Model The rational model represents a society where: The rational model represents a society where: Conflict is unnecessary and only temporary Conflict is unnecessary and only temporary Force is replaced by discussion Force is replaced by discussion Persuasion and logic are used to bring individual actions into harmony Persuasion and logic are used to bring individual actions into harmony The capacity to deliberate is very important The capacity to deliberate is very important

Totalitarian Model People accept government propaganda instead of making decisions on their own People accept government propaganda instead of making decisions on their own Information is limited, highly controlled, and slanted Information is limited, highly controlled, and slanted It is mainly used for social control It is mainly used for social control The government indoctrinates its citizens by controlling a central communications apparatus The government indoctrinates its citizens by controlling a central communications apparatus

Polis Model Two idealized versions Two idealized versions Neither can exist in pure form Neither can exist in pure form How they meet in the middle How they meet in the middle Facts are the product of social processes Facts are the product of social processes Direct observation vs. social knowledge Direct observation vs. social knowledge Naming Naming Interpretive Interpretive Facts are always under dispute Facts are always under dispute Information is created from a point of view Information is created from a point of view Loyalties, cultural, and social backgrounds Loyalties, cultural, and social backgrounds Used to manipulate and influence Used to manipulate and influence

Fact? “We're now in the 41st month of uninterrupted job growth, in a recovery that has created 7.2 million new jobs -- so far.” - President Bush (2007 State of the Union) The figure is correct. However, as in the past, Bush concentrated only on the period since August 2003, which was the low point of the prolonged job slump that plagued the first 2-1/2 years of his presidency. Since 2.7 million jobs were lost that time, the net gain from the time he took office has been 4.6 million jobs, a respectable number but still not so large as the one Bush highlighted.

Indoctrination – Polis Model Totalitarianism not a necessary condition Totalitarianism not a necessary condition Happens in three ways: Happens in three ways: Indoctrination outside the framework of a centralized bureaucracy Indoctrination outside the framework of a centralized bureaucracy Dominant groups instill values and attitudes that preserve their position without centralized control Dominant groups instill values and attitudes that preserve their position without centralized control Indoctrination through normal government – citizen interaction Indoctrination through normal government – citizen interaction Media Communications Media Communications Street-level bureaucrats Street-level bureaucrats

Indoctrination – Polis Model Indoctrination through the withholding of information Indoctrination through the withholding of information Fundamental part of strategy for government and markets Fundamental part of strategy for government and markets Occurs without formal censorship or classification Occurs without formal censorship or classification Blocks the formation of truly rational decisions Blocks the formation of truly rational decisions The more resources the more dominant the group to influence others The more resources the more dominant the group to influence others

The Concept of Unilateralness Assumes that indoctrination requires the efforts of a single central government authority Assumes that indoctrination requires the efforts of a single central government authority Some believe the concept of unilateralness protects people from indoctrination Some believe the concept of unilateralness protects people from indoctrination If manipulative messages are given to a population by two or more competing interests the effect is neutralized If manipulative messages are given to a population by two or more competing interests the effect is neutralized

Conclusion The shaping of information is an inevitable part of communication and is integral to strategic behavior The shaping of information is an inevitable part of communication and is integral to strategic behavior The rational idea is false in its assumption that information is neutral and that people are rational and independent The rational idea is false in its assumption that information is neutral and that people are rational and independent The totalitarian model is false in its assumption that indoctrination only occurs when there is a single governmental authority dispensing propaganda The totalitarian model is false in its assumption that indoctrination only occurs when there is a single governmental authority dispensing propaganda Indoctrination occurs everyday between citizens and between citizens of the state. Indoctrination occurs everyday between citizens and between citizens of the state.