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After a policy of neutrality at the outbreak of WWI, Woodrow Wilson led America into war using the #propaganda slogan “make the world safe for democracy”, which enhanced the #USA's reputation as a global force for good. Republican propagandists are now busy undermining democracy.
Making the case for war, the Committee on Public Information made the US Government the first to disseminate sophisticated propaganda techniques on a massive scale.
Not many people know that this phenomenon - often linked with totalitarian regimes - emerged in America first.
Not many people know that this phenomenon - often linked with totalitarian regimes - emerged in America first.
CPI propaganda typically appealed to the heart, not the mind: emotional agitation is an effective propaganda technique, because any strong emotion may be connected to any ideas or activity by skillful manipulation.
Evangelical Christians, Fox News & Trump are masters at it.
Evangelical Christians, Fox News & Trump are masters at it.
The CPI discovered that emotions of hate & fear can be redirected to perceived enemies.
In the US, Republican propagandists now direct the emotions of hate & fear at Migrants, Muslims, Democrats, Biden, #BlackLivesMatter
, Antifa & now - most dangerously - at democracy itself.
In the US, Republican propagandists now direct the emotions of hate & fear at Migrants, Muslims, Democrats, Biden, #BlackLivesMatter
, Antifa & now - most dangerously - at democracy itself.
German propaganda in America was ineffective during WWI as it tended to emphasize logic over passion.
A German diplomat noted "the outstanding characteristic of the average American is rather a great, though superficial, sentimentality", which makes them easier to manipulate.
A German diplomat noted "the outstanding characteristic of the average American is rather a great, though superficial, sentimentality", which makes them easier to manipulate.
The important difference between the USA's "leadership democracy" & a totalitarian state is that asking difficult questions is still allowed.
However, history shows that, in times of political crisis & social dislocation, this freedom is one of the first to disappear.
However, history shows that, in times of political crisis & social dislocation, this freedom is one of the first to disappear.
Pacifist Randolph Bourne, said that war sentiment spread gradually among various intellectual groups. "With the aid of Roosevelt, the murmurs became a monotonous chant, & finally a chorus so mighty that to be out of it was at first to be disreputable, & finally almost obscene."
Bourne wrote "simple syllogisms are substituted for analysis, things are known by their labels [&] our heart's desire dictates what we shall see."
Simple slogans like "Build the Wall" & "Get Brexit Done" are treated as if they are actual policies for dealing with social issues.
![Bourne wrote "simple syllogisms are substituted for analysis, things are known by their labels [&] our heart's desire dictates what we shall see." Simple slogans like "Build the Wall" & "Get Brexit Done" are treated as if they are actual policies for dealing with social issues.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmiC32iW4AAU_-v.jpg "Bourne wrote \"simple syllogisms are substituted for analysis, things are known by their labels [&] our heart's desire dictates what we shall see.\" Simple slogans like \"Build the Wall\" & \"Get Brexit Done\" are treated as if they are actual policies for dealing with social issues.")
![Bourne wrote "simple syllogisms are substituted for analysis, things are known by their labels [&] our heart's desire dictates what we shall see." Simple slogans like "Build the Wall" & "Get Brexit Done" are treated as if they are actual policies for dealing with social issues.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmiC7C-XUAEDOnP.png "Bourne wrote \"simple syllogisms are substituted for analysis, things are known by their labels [&] our heart's desire dictates what we shall see.\" Simple slogans like \"Build the Wall\" & \"Get Brexit Done\" are treated as if they are actual policies for dealing with social issues.")
Simple slogans like "Build the Wall" & "Get Brexit Done" are treated as if they are actual policies for dealing with social issues.
Propagandists argue complexity makes obsolete Enlightenment faith in popular wisdom.
Is propaganda anti-democratic?
Does it undermine voters' critical faculties?
We'll soon find out what happens when simplistic, emotional appeals are endlessly repeated in the form of slogans.
Is propaganda anti-democratic?
Does it undermine voters' critical faculties?
We'll soon find out what happens when simplistic, emotional appeals are endlessly repeated in the form of slogans.
