Recruiting agents of influence

Description

Recruiting agents of influence involves identifying, approaching, and enlisting individuals with access to key networks or decision-makers to advocate for specific interests or objectives. This strategy leverages the credibility and reach of such agents to shape opinions, policies, or behaviours, thereby overcoming barriers to change. It is used to remedy challenges such as limited access, resistance, or lack of awareness by amplifying targeted messages and facilitating the adoption of desired outcomes within influential circles.

Context

To promote interests such as ideological and economical, individuals, organizations, companies or governments recruit individuals or groups which exert influence in the target society.

Implementation

Throughout the cold-war period the former Soviet Union and the USA were continuously recruiting existing or potential agents of influence from the other country's influential establishments such as media, civil and military institutions and the intellectual and political elite. These agents of influence were usually bribed, paid or converted to promote the interests of the "enemy" country. Agents of influence may also be recruited for industrial espionage at company or national level. Regardless of type, agents of influence may be employed against foe as well as friend.