Government Propaganda

Throughout the history of the human race the few have held in their hands the lives of the many. Regardless of what type of government or society you observe, it has always been the minority in charge of the majority. It is true that in most cases the majority will reach a breaking point and take down the minority. However, there are those who continue to rule despite public unrest, or those who have the love and admiration of the very people they are abusing. The few have always found a way to climb atop the many, and remain there, defying all logic and reason. These methods fall into a few generalized categories, such as the use of fear, propaganda, drugs, and early childhood conditioning.

Propaganda “is a mode of communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position”(Stokoe) It is ever present throughout human history, and it isn't always a bad thing. Governments and industries alike use propaganda to push an agenda. Most people equate the word 'propaganda' with lies and leaders such as Hitler and Kim Jun Il. It is undoubtedly true that when a government decides exactly what is said to the people there is room for corruption and general doubt about the motives behind the information released. Regardless of whether the motive is 'good' or 'bad', propaganda, the controlling of the output of information is used to control those who hear or view it. Political campaigns use propaganda to win elections. They exploit current issues, and past events to paint a picture that, while it may be slightly true, completely exaggerates the issue or situations. This is done in order to persuade the voter to change their mind about the opponent, or reenforce their opinion. In cults vulnerabilities ar...

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...vernment and the media. Tailoring opinions is what they do, making it difficult to make informed judgments. In the end, the few control the many because the many are content to live in a society contrived to keep them in place.

Works Cited

Ackerman, Seth. "The Most Biased Name in News." FAIR Fairness Accuracy In Reporting. FAIR, n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.

Mumford, Lewis. "Social Control." Social Control through Popular Culture, Mass Media, Ideological Divisions, Religion, Fear and Anger, Drugs, Public Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.

Stokoe, Claire. "100 Years Of Propaganda: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." Smashing Magazine. Smashing Magazine, 13 June 2010. Web. 01 Apr. 2014.

"The Power of Fear." Revolution Now! Revolution Now!, 03 Mar. 2011. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.

Layton, Julia. "How Cults Work." HowStuffWorks. Discovery, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.