The Definition of Propaganda:
The Heinemann Dictionary defines propaganda as: "opinions, principles, etc, especially biased or false ones, spread or publicized to persuade, change or reform."
The Longman Dictionary spells it out even more clearly: "false information that a political organization gives to the public to influence them."
So, to break it down, propaganda is:
The ultimate goal of propaganda is to indoctrinate people, i.e. to make someone accept a system of thought uncritically.
Propaganda is mainly used by political leaders who want to sway people to their point of view.
The propaganda message is carefully selected and reinforced to produce an emotional (rather than rational) response.
The emotions most commonly targeted are:
The Heinemann Dictionary defines propaganda as: "opinions, principles, etc, especially biased or false ones, spread or publicized to persuade, change or reform."
The Longman Dictionary spells it out even more clearly: "false information that a political organization gives to the public to influence them."
So, to break it down, propaganda is:
- false information
- spread to the public
- to persuade or influence them
- into accepting a particular philosophy or agenda
The ultimate goal of propaganda is to indoctrinate people, i.e. to make someone accept a system of thought uncritically.
Propaganda is mainly used by political leaders who want to sway people to their point of view.
The propaganda message is carefully selected and reinforced to produce an emotional (rather than rational) response.
The emotions most commonly targeted are:
- Fear
- Suspicion
- Pride
- Patriotism