1. World problems
  2. Propaganda

Propaganda

  • Dependence on public relations
  • Deploying non-consensual persuasion
  • Using nudge techniques

Nature

Mass media may be used to influence or manipulate public opinion in favour of a political ideal or government policies. Such governmental 'information', official or unofficial, may be false or misleading. It may intensify conflict and intolerance, and lead to war or to terrorist activities. It may strengthen government control, dictatorship and repression, inequality, injustice and exploitation. It may create confusion or induce apathy, conformism, fear, cultural stagnation and alienation through ignorance. Non-governmental propaganda may emanate from opposition political parties, ideological groups, or from business interests.

Background

The global significance of propaganda emerged starkly during World War I, when governments systematically manipulated information to influence public opinion and morale. Its pervasive role was further recognized in the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century, where state-controlled media shaped ideologies and suppressed dissent. Subsequent decades saw increasing scholarly and public awareness of propaganda’s impact, particularly with the advent of mass media and digital technologies, highlighting its persistent and evolving threat to informed societies worldwide.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Incidence

Propaganda remains a pervasive global issue, affecting political, social, and cultural landscapes across continents. Its incidence is evident in state-controlled media, disinformation campaigns, and the manipulation of digital platforms, influencing public opinion and electoral outcomes. The scale of propaganda has expanded with technological advances, enabling rapid dissemination and targeting of specific populations, often exacerbating polarization and undermining trust in institutions.
In 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was accompanied by a surge in state-sponsored propaganda, both domestically and internationally. Russian media outlets and social networks disseminated misleading narratives to justify military actions and discredit opposing viewpoints, significantly shaping public perception.
This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Claim

Propaganda is contriving conditions where people's critical resistances are so weakened and their freedom of choice so severely reduced as to make acquiescence all too likely. As distinct from education, it is a systematic attempt to influence people by reducing the amount of information available for discussion and encouraging them to act on impulse. Those to be persuaded are led to believe that only one line of action in a particular situation is possible.

Propaganda works best when those who are being manipulated are confident they are acting on their own free will.  (Joseph Gobbels)

Counter-claim

Governments may use effective communications to encourage citizen health, family planning, and energy conservation; caution in the use of dangerous products; or advise of the need of civilian defence or war-time resistance against an aggressor. This type of propaganda, including persuasion to take advantage of educational opportunities, or to support international agencies and international cooperation and development activities, is beneficial.

The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. …We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. …In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons… who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind. (Edward Bernays, Propaganda, 1928).

Broader

Narrower

Film propaganda
Presentable
Book propaganda
Presentable

Aggravates

Hero worship
Excellent
Social conflict
Presentable
Intolerance
Unpresentable
Alarmism
Yet to rate

Aggravated by

Ignorance
Excellent
Power politics
Presentable
Demagoguery
Presentable
Political feuding
Unpresentable

Reduces

Reduced by

Deconstruction
Presentable

Related

Rote learning
Presentable
Falsity
Presentable
Deception
Presentable
Tokenism
Yet to rate

Strategy

Propagandizing
Presentable

Value

Propaganda
Yet to rate
Independence
Yet to rate
Dependence
Yet to rate

Reference

Web link

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
Content quality
Presentable
 Presentable
Language
English
1A4N
F1878
DOCID
11618780
D7NID
134358
Editing link
Official link
Last update
Jul 29, 2024