Dimitri Vallejo
Mr. Meyer
20th Century Cultural US History
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Book Critique of Propaganda by Edward Bernays
Since the early 20th century there has been a strong and deliberate force guiding the actions of democratic societies. This force has transformed the subjects of its host country from citizen first, to consumer. It has the potential to topple corporations and governments, while possessing the very same capability of strengthening that which it is positively focused on. Harnessing the power of the unconscious, relying on subliminal messages, propaganda has penetrated the global society from advertising to politics, depending on a new label fathered by Edward Bernays: the profession of Public Relations. In his book, Propaganda, Bernays describes public relations, and therefore propaganda, as a necessary manipulation of mass desires to benefit the public and the private industries. Such a task involves tapping into the inner wants of the public vs true necessity. Bernays’ purpose in writing this manual is to explain the structure of the mechanism which controls the public mind, demonstrating how the consciousness is manipulated by the public relations counsel, while also explaining how public relations fits into modern democracy. Throughout each chapter, Bernays solidifies the importance of understanding the code of ethics and practices which must be followed when using propaganda or developing a public relations counsel. One of the most important points Bernays makes is that if one is aware of being under the influence of propaganda, the effect deteriorates, making it useless. Towards the end of the book Bernays explains how propaganda (through Public Relations) is applied in different situations, such ...
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...f exposed to propaganda, could be guided towards achieving that which the propaganda was intended to achieve. If one is able to absorb this information, their ‘gut instinct’ becomes more vulnerable to rational question, and choices develop a logical self check rather than leaps of faith.
Chapter eleven, Mechanics of Propaganda, is the last important section in Bernays’ book. It includes four main points: (1) mechanics is the actual spread of ideas into the public and actions taken by the propagandist; (2) use a wide range of tools i.e. radio, newspaper, movies, and the like for maximum effect; (3) it is necessary to use a popular medium that will gain a lot of attention for the intended audience; (4) newspaper vs. magazine, information vs. opinion – one needs to make the distinction between fact and opinion, and how each should be sold in regards to the ethics code.
Bowan, S (2007). Ethics and Public Relations. Retrieved on February 14, 2012 from : http://www.instituteforpr.org/topics/ethics-and-public-relations/
This essay will critically discuss the role that propaganda had in shaping public opinion on both sides of the conflict during the First World War. The essay will begin by defining propaganda and discussing the many forms propaganda could take in a civilian population’s day to day life. It will then look at how the countries which made up the Entente used propaganda to unite their citizens against a common enemy, being the Alliance. The essay will then look at the other side i.e. how the Alliance used propaganda to villianise the Entente. In addition it will discuss which side was more successful in utilising propaganda. It will then conclude by offering the writers view of propaganda and its use during the First World War.
The base of all propaganda is to shape the information in such a manner that it manipulates the viewers into believing what the propaganda wants them to believe. Its persuasive techniques are regularly applied in day-to-day life by politicians, advertisers, journalists, and others who are interested in influencing human behavior. Since propaganda is used with misleading information, it can be concluded that it is not a fairly used tool in the society.
What is propaganda? Propaganda is more of an observation of the group mind rather than a science studied in a laboratory with data. The accuracy of this science cannot be measured because the elements of the situation will always be beyond anyone’s control. In the same manner as economics and sociology, propaganda cannot be named as a definite science since its main focus is of the human being. It s...
Propaganda has long been used as a tool to defend institutions and organizations. It was used during World War One and World War Two to placate the masses and to protect the governments at the time. Simply put, propaganda is a tool used by the intelligent to ma...
Aldous Huxley’s novel, Brave New World, showcases a world alternate from ours, a dystopian setting. Where human morals are drastically altered, families, love, history, and art are removed by the government. They used multiple methods to control the people, but no method in the world state is more highly used and more effective than propaganda. The world state heavily implemented the use of propaganda to control, to set morals, and to condition the minds of every citizen in their world. However such uses of propaganda have already been used in our world and even at this very moment. The way the media sways us how to think or how we should feel about a given situation. Often covering the truth and hiding the facts. One of the goals in propaganda is to set the mindset of the people to align with the goal of a current power, such as a
Propaganda is mainly used to persuade your audience in thinking and believing in a certain way; the way that you want them to think. In the film of
Hummel, William and Huntress, Keith. The Analysis of Propaganda. New York: William Sloane Associates, 1949
“"Propaganda is as powerful as heroin, it surreptitiously dissolves all capacity to think” by Gil Courtemanche connects to the sad fact of using propaganda as a deadly weapon to feed people with false information and stop them from thinking. George Orwell’s novel, 1984 describes a totalitarian dystopia society where the Party is constantly brainwashing its citizens with information that is beneficial to its own rights. On the opposite side people are working for the party just like dominated slaves for their masters without knowing of what’s going on. But, in order for the party to achieve this goal they have to use different techniques of propaganda in Oceania to create fear for people so that they can obey the rules. The use of propaganda
In the book, Propaganda, author Edward L Bernays, who is nephew of Sigmund Freud, transcends the public relation industry. This short, 13-part instructional manual delves deep into the intricacies and usage of propaganda. Bernays claims that the public is in a constant state of manipulation. He argues that in order for a society to be highly functioning and stable, public opinion must be manipulated and swayed. While I find his claims disturbing, it was refreshing to read something so blunt. Bernays’ use of psychological techniques to work the mechanics of public opinion truly classifies him as the “father of public relations.”
Snowball, David. "Propaganda and its Discontents." Journal of Communication 49.3 (2009): 165-71. ProQuest. Web. 2 Dec. 2013.
Fuller, J.F.C. "Propaganda and War. The New Technique of Mendacity as a Psychological Weapon." Ordnance, Dec
What does the word propaganda really mean? For most of us we assume that it is a word for negativity use. Just to assure those that think of propaganda as a negative word. Propaganda does have a positive objective if used correctly. The word propaganda is defined in a few different ways, But in the most general usage, it varies from bad to good persuasion of our minds. It is used during election time to our daily lives on television to our newspaper stands. According to Donna Cross’s essay, “Propaganda: How Not to Be Bamboozled,” there are thirteen different types of propaganda; this paper will discuss six varieties. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney used primarily every sort of propaganda to influence the citizens; therefore, our national society needs to develop awareness in the propaganda used by such politicians so that they can make wise decisions intelligently.
Edward L. Bernays deserves recognition far greater than that which he receives. "The father of spin" documents the career of Edward Bernays, the man himself and the monumental findings that precede him. Bernays not only fathered public relations as we know it he also shaped molded and embodied ideal practices of public relations and spin in everything that he did.
PRATKANIS, Anthony and ARONSON, Elliot. Age of Propaganda: The Everyday Use and Abuse of Persuasion . New York : W.H. Freeman and Company, 1991.