Introduction
"The
systemic
propagation of a doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the
views and
interests of those advocating such a doctrine or cause; materials
disseminated
by the advocates or opponents of a doctrine or cause." American Heritage
Dictionary Propaganda refers to any persuasive technique, whether in writing, speech, music, film, or other means that attempts to influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes, or behavior of a group for the benefit of the person or organization using it. Propagandists try to put across an idea, good or bad, rather than discover the truth though reasoned argument and persuasion. The goal of a propagandist is to mold opinion or behavior to support their cause without concern for the interest or benefit of the audience. The term "propaganda" originated in 1622 when the Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide was established. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the Sacred Congregation de Propaganda Fide, whose official title is "sacra congregatio christiano nomini propagando," is the department of the pontifical administration charged with the spread of Catholicism and with the regulation of ecclesiastical affairs in non-Catholic countries. This religious organization played a crucial role for evangelizing newly discovered lands in America, Africa, and the Far East through the late nineteenth century (New Advent: Sacred Congregation of Propaganda). Originally, the term "propaganda" had a neutral sense, which referred to the propagation of the Catholic faith. The Encyclopedia of Propaganda defines the term as the "spreading of doctrine, especially religious or political doctrine; there was no connotation that the doctrine was false or that it was being spread by deceitful means" (Cole: Encyclopedia of Propaganda 184). In our modern era the term has taken on a much broader and sinister meaning that is generally associated with intent to mislead. In their study, The Age of Propaganda, Pratkanis and Aronson suggest "the word propaganda has since evolved to mean mass 'suggestion' or influence through the manipulation of symbols and psychology of the individual. Propaganda is the communication of a point of view with the ultimate goal of having the recipient of the appeal come to 'voluntarily' accept this position as if it were his or her own" (9).
While the term originated in 1622, propaganda
has its
roots in classical Greece. In the ancient city-states of Greece, the
philosophers of the day were very much concerned with how to use
rhetoric to
persuade rulers and citizens alike to do the right thing. The early
Greeks and
Romans spent several years studying the art of speaking persuasively.
They used
discourse and rhetoric to clarify or argue a position. Speeches were
presented
as arguments, debates, or discussion using well-reasoned thoughts to
influence
and persuade their audience. Modern propagandists have replaced the
eloquent
rhetoric of the Greeks and Romans with slogans and colorful imagery. In
contrast to the moral purpose of the ancient rhetoricians, modern
propagandists
do not seek to enlighten or inform but to influence and persuade the
masses for
the sole purpose of the propagandist.
In the Propaganda node of the Responsible
Rhetoric website, we show how propaganda has undergone a
transformation
from a positive to a mostly negative concept by examining how a few
prominent
citizens since the time of the Greeks to the present day have used
language and
persuasive techniques to influence and promote their goals and ideas.
In the
sections, Propaganda
Techniques and Other
Techniques, we show some of the
different methods propagandists use to influence and persuade their
audience.
In our Conclusion, we
offer some suggestions how the reader might gain control over
the influence of propaganda on their lives by taking personal
responsibility to fight propaganda and false information. |Home|Introduction|Roots of Propaganda|Printing
and Its Aftermath| |Rise
of
Modern
Propaganda|Purpose of
Propaganda| |