Politics, Propaganda, and Hate

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Politics, Propaganda, and Hate

Propaganda is very important issue in our society. The word "propaganda" however, has a very negative connotation. This may happen because people tend to associate it with "the enormous campaigns that were waged by Hitler and Stalin,' (Delwiche 2002). Now propaganda has a different face.

It may not be as obvious as but it is used regurlarly by politicians, companies and others who are interested in influencing our behaviour. "Propaganda is the control of opinion by significant symbols influence", (Laswell, as cited in Chadwick). There are seven types of propaganda devices. These have been categorized into a few groups by the Institute of Propaganda Analysis (IPA): Name Calling, Glittering Generality, Transfer, Testimonial, Plain folks, Card stacking and Bandwagon. Using these devices, propaganda can be successful (serve it's objective).

"The work of the propaganda (is to influence) large scale and "group conscious, (" it is not directed at individuals. It is directed through many media which can include "leaflets, posters, TV broadcasts or radio broadcasts," (Wikipedia). Verbal statements are the most common way propaganda occurs. It often involves the distortion or manipulation of facts but not always. Propaganda isn't only spread through words, often actions, gestures of even image manipulation can be the cause. It involves anything that may provide an affected version of the truth, even stereotypes. Propaganda can employs prejudice to perpetuate stereotypes and those stereotypes have a direct effect on the propaganda. This turns into a endless cycle. Hatred is the cause for extreme cases of propaganda. These prejudices create stereotypes that then become common belief.

"Two thousand...

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...prejudices that a society harbours cause the hate and propaganda. This causes the prejudices to be reconfirmed and further developed into stereotypes. Now the cycle begins again.

Bibliography

Chadwick, W. Public Relations and Propaganda. Online at: , consulted on 03/25/04.

Delwich, A (2002). Propaganda - Anti American propaganda from Afghanistan. Online at: , consulted on 03/20/04.

Delwich, A (2002). Propaganda - Why think about propaganda?. Online at: .

Mustafa, N (2004). "Please, No Phone Calls". Time: Special report, V. 163, No. 13, p. 9.

Wikipedia encyclopedia (2004). Online at: , consulted on: 03/29/04.

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