Propaganda & Mass Persuasion: Propaganda as a control mechanism

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Propaganda as a control mechanism


According to Harold D. Lasswell,

"As proposals for action along new lines arise to compete for the moral
and physical support of the masses, propaganda attains eminence as the one means
of mass mobilization that is cheaper than violence, bribery or other possible
control techniques."

It's weird to think that if no one has ever brought this to one's attention, each person in society is being controlled. It seems that no one has their own thoughts or ideas because everyone's mind is always being controlled by propaganda. The average person doesn't even know that this is happening to them.

"The skilled propagandist's task is to intensify attitudes favorable to his purposes, to reverse obstructive attitudes, to win the indifferent or at least to prevent them from becoming antagonistic."

1 Comments:

Blogger A. Mattson said...

Nice picture, good quotes.

Be careful not to overstate your point. Do you really believe that "everyone's mind is always being controlled by propaganda"? Is your mind controlled? Your friends? Your family? Is that possible? Influence maybe. Control is a strong word.

2/12/2007 10:39 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home