Edward Bernays, 1936 speech on propaganda:
democracy, as a system of government & way of life, requires propaganda to sustain itself. People have to be reminded of what democracy matters, or else fascists will rule. But, you say (correctly): propaganda is anti-democratic!

He's an apologist for propaganda, obviously, but he makes a good point: if fascism uses propaganda shouldn't democracy use propaganda to counter fascism?

If propaganda is "persuasion without consent," then isn't that anti-democratic? Yes. It's a problem.

The way around the conundrum/irony is democratic propaganda (persuasion). Persuasion with consent that asks us to believe that democracy is the best form of government and asks us to participate democratically in that democracy. I think we heard that yesterday.

Biden's speech yesterday declared the triumph of American democracy against undemocratic forces (labeled as "lies" rather than demagoguery, fascism, or authoritarianism) & it invited us to unite, as democrats, to solve Americas many crises, including anti-democratic sentiment.

The rest of the day sustained the message: unification, acknowledging difference and multiplicity, respecting truth and science and good information. It ended with a joyous & patriotic fireworks display.

But it was an invitation to democracy and democratic practice. It was a celebration, join the party. It wasn't an authoritarian "democracy." It was a ceremonial display of democratic communal values. It acknowledged that our democracy needs work, but affirmed the values.

Anyway, just thinking about what we saw yesterday. I think it was pretty good for what it what trying to do.