What is propaganda?

Definition

​noun information that is intended to persuade an audience to accept a particular idea or cause, often by using biased material or by stirring up emotions.

Similar to how advertising involves getting people to buy an item using certain persuasive techniques, propaganda involves getting people to accept an idea using certain persuasive techniques.

Propaganda Techniques

Scholars have identified many propaganda techniques, and here's a few of the most popular ones...

Focuses on the best features, and leaves out, or lies about problems.

Card Stacking

The use of 'positive' words or ideas to evoke a positive emotional response.

Glittering Generalities

Transfer is when a symbol or person that carries respect, authority, sanction, and prestige is used alongside an idea or argument in order to 'legitimize' it.

Transfer

The use of 'regular' people to make an idea, or leader appear ordinary, and hence more trustworthy.

Plain Folks

Asks people to 'join the crowd' and take action because 'everyone' is doing it.

Bandwagon

Connects a person or an idea with something negative. Often this is achieved through the use of an easy-to-remember pejorative name, which is then used to get people to reject and condemn a person or idea without any further examination.

Name-Calling

As Herman Goering, a powerful figure in Hitler's Nazi party stated; "the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked…"

Fear

This is when an idea is made to appear holy, sacred, or very special and therefore above all law. Any alternatives or opposite points of view are, as a result, given the appearance of treason or blasphemy.

Deification