Propaganda In Theory And Practice

Often I'll find the most interesting material while I'm surfing for something else. This article I've linked is a great example. While it covers a lot of old ground it also cites some 'news to me' info and it seems particularly relevant these days.

The article explains very well the difference between 'harmless' propaganda, for instance commercials because the viewer knows what's coming, and that which is not so easily recognisable such as false news reporting presented as fact then the repetition of same in order to 'turn around' an unreceptive or skeptical audience. Iraq and its alleged ties to al-Qaeda being accepted by a large number of Americans as fact would be the perfect example of that kind of 'political warfare' being wildly successful.

So okay. I can't recall any administration whose tactics were exposed as quickly yet the reactions to their deceitful manipulations and misdirections for a large part so casually dismissive. It can't all be blamed on fear and the manipulation of it. It would appear there is also a significant segment of society that isn't so repulsed by the idea of the USA strutting its imperialistic stuff across the world stage and consequences be damned. Staying silent about this support alleviates any instance in the future that might crop up when they might be called upon to defend it. Ignorance works like that.

But one of the most interesting parts of the article for me was the focus on group consciousness and how propaganda is used on segments of our society who either haven't formed opinions yet or may be in the process of abandoning old ones, and the elimination of new material that may have shifted these morphing intellects in a direction the powers that be aren't fond of.

For this reason, propaganda has to exploit group identity. It must attempt to challenge the collective ambitions and prohibitions that direct group conduct -- or to create the illusion that meaningful change is taking place even when it is not. Either way, those who are part of the group are inexorably led to change their own behavior in response to what they see as an evolving group ethic.

But cultural manipulation is more than just advocacy. The modern propagandist must understand the audience and learn how different events, situations, and images influence the day-to-day actions of the target group.

Clear Channel does this by playing a music format that attracts a certain age group then delivering a political message their target audience wouldn't ordinarily give much attention. If you were to contrast it with say the sixties there's a compelling difference in the way political messages are delivered. I'm not attempting to pigeonhole genres of music and attach an 'only this political label can be applied' to them, but pointing to the fact that in the sixties you knew what you were getting. Not so 'clear' these days.

Read the article when you have time. I'd reveal the 'news to me' parts but then it wouldn't be a surprise for anyone else.

On a connective note, anyone who reads MaxSpeak regularly is familiar with Tom Walker, aka Sandwichman. He's an illuminating poster on the blog and a source of the rare kind of inveterate commentary that seems to reach across generational and class divides then ties their strings together into a compelling composite that rings a universal, poetic truth.

In this post he addresses charisma, propagating cliches, and films that perhaps preview or possibly examine situations where youthful figures who have charismatic currency are tools of manipulation by a fascist regime.

I think it's one of the most important concerns to consider in the current political climate as the Bush administration begins setting-up shop in Iraq in every area imagineable from the news room to the schoolhouse. But also as the United States continues on this imperialistic road that will require a commitment from its citizens the Bush administration has yet to fully elaborate upon or gain consensus for, I think it's imperative we take heed of the ways in which our 'support' is being 'won'.