Glossary: Propaganda
The dissemination of images, messages or ideas aiming to tug at people’s heartstrings in order to convince them of an idea or undermine an opposing one.
Originally propaganda was a neutral term used to describe the aim of propagating ideas, especially religious ones[1]; however, more recently its use is often associated with deception and manipulation.
The reliance on emotive language and imagery strengths the effectiveness of the message by providing mental shortcuts often reliant on stereotypes. The techniques employed are often aimed at a sense of pride, fear, or want of justice.
The reliance on emotive language and imagery strengths the effectiveness of the message by providing mental shortcuts often reliant on stereotypes. The techniques employed are often aimed at a sense of pride, fear, or want of justice.
Propaganda is been associated with posters from wartime efforts to recruit soldiers or with Hitler’s dehumanizing images of Jewish people.
Propaganda is been associated with posters from wartime efforts to recruit soldiers or with Hitler’s dehumanizing images of Jewish people.
A close connection to advertisement is seen in the fact that in some languages, such as Portuguese, the word “propaganda” is used to refer to advertisement in general. In the analysis of Edward Barnays, the “father of Public Relations” and nephew to psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, imagery that would touch on people’s innermost desires would most effectively serve to sell products and steer politics. [4] [5]
Propaganda can also be related to the superior status of institutions that pass as truthbearers of society for appearing neutral. In her work “Civilizing Rituals” scholar Carol Duncan illustrates how museums can “control the representation of a community and its highest values and truths”, even though some people are erased.[7]
Connected ideas: institutional power, censorship, indoctrination, eurocentrism, confirmation-bias, fake-news, advertisement, public-relations, manipulation. Counter-ideas: institutional critique, accuracy.
[4] Bernays often utilized his uncle’s expertise and guidance to inform his campaigns, often aiming at people’s desire for freedom, power and happiness.
Connected ideas: institutional power, censorship, indoctrination, eurocentrism, confirmation-bias, fake-news, advertisement, public-relations, manipulation. Counter-ideas: institutional critique, accuracy.
[4] Bernays often utilized his uncle’s expertise and guidance to inform his campaigns, often aiming at people’s desire for freedom, power and happiness.
[5] In his 1928 book “Propaganda,” he argued that “engineering consent” was essential to the survival of democracy.
[6] Bernays associated female empowerment with smoking cigarettes, having them eventually being referred to as “Torches of Freedom” due to a publicity stunt. Note the stance and expression of the woman in the image.
[7] Some artworks attempt to highlight the power of art institutions.
