Definitions of propaganda, from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design
R. V. Gronoff
http://www.mcad.edu/classrooms/politprop/definit.html
Throughout the centuries propaganda has served both the governing and the
governed as a language of extraordinary strength. A language constructed to
clarify, communicate and convince-especially during times of turmoil and
uncertainty. Those in power resorted to propaganda as a means of reaffirming
their position in society and society employed propaganda to overthrow those
in power.
The function of propaganda, in a variety of often complex historical
contexts, served a wide range of purposes and utilized all conceivable
communication media. This makes it difficult, if not impossible to construct
a universal definition of propaganda.
The following are examples from a continually growing inventory of
propaganda definitions. These definitions were made by propagandists
themselves, members of targeted audiences, as well as dispassionate
analysts.
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"In Congregatio de propaganda fide Congregation for propagating the faith-an
organization established by Pope Gregory XV in 1622 to take charge of
Catholic missionary activity;
- a group or movement organized for spreading a particular doctrine or
system of principles
- dissemination of ideas, information or rumor for the purpose of helping or
injuring an institution, a cause, or a person;
- doctrines, ideas, arguments, facts, or allegations spread by deliberate
effort through any medium of communication in order to further one's cause
or to damage an opposing cause;
- a public action or display having the purpose or the effect of furthering
or hindering a cause."
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, 1986
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"The purpose of propaganda is to paralyze thought, to prevent
discrimination, and to condition individuals to act as a mass."
Sam Keen, "Faces of the Enemy", 1986
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"Propaganda has to do with any ideas and beliefs that are intentionally
propagated. It attempts to reach a goal by making use of words and word
substitutes (pictures, drawings, graphs, exhibits, parades, songs, and
similar devices). Moreover, although it is used in controversial situations,
most experts agree that it is also used to promote non controversial, or
generally acceptable ideas. Types of propaganda range from the selfish,
deceitful and subversive to the honest and aboveboard promotional effort. It
can be concealed or open, emotional or containing appeals to reason, or a
combination of emotional and logical appeals."
US. War Dpt. "What is propaganda", 1944
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"Propaganda is simply an organized effort to persuade people to do specific
things, such as joining organizations, making contributions, giving support
to groups, etc., all of which contribute to the power of particular, more or
less clearly defined groups or individuals. If such propaganda is
successful, these groups gain power."
In the same article Friedrich makes an emotional appeal:
"Let us not be afraid of propaganda. Our enemies are going to use it. Let us
use it to the full for the promotion of the ends we approve, for the
spreading of the belief in the coming victory of democracy. It would be
unwise hypocritically to pretend that we can get along without it. Such
hypocrisy will easily be revealed. We are for law and constitution. Very
well; let us say so. We are for a free and humanized America? Very well; let
us say so too. Let us have our own fifth column throughout the world, a
fifth column which preaches the dawn of a better day once the victory of
democracy is assured. Detecting the enemy's propaganda is important, but
making your own effective is the only sure road to victory."
C.J.Friedrich "Detect Propaganda - - and USE It", Independent Woman, 1940
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"Propaganda is the offensive arm of the intellectual forces [...] propaganda
is a bridge leading from new ideas to their eventual realization. The object
of the propagandists, of course, is to induce people to walk across that
bridge. If the propaganda is effective, they have forgotten their old ideas
by the time they have reached the other end - and have accepted the new
ideas. Education, however, is used to build morale at home - not only that,
but also to keep the people at home from crossing bridges erected by enemy
propagandists."
Ladislas Farago "How are we organized for psychological warfare?"
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"Propaganda is an expression of opinion or action by individuals or groups
deliberately designed to influence opinions or actions of other individuals
or groups with reference to predetermined ends."
The Institute for Propaganda Analysis "The Fine Art of Propaganda", 1939
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"The often negative connotation associated with Propaganda derives
especially from its use during peacetime by totalitarian regimes. In
wartime, however, the use of bold graphic images and hard-hitting slogans to
support a nation's struggle does not seem sinister - although it is no less
manipulative - and poster propaganda is accepted as an appropriate weapon in
the war effort."
G.H.Gregory "Posters of World War Two", 1993
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"Propaganda in its broadest sense is the systematic spreading - or
propagation - of particular ideas, doctrines, and practices. Today the word
is often used in a pejorative sense, connoting deception or distortion, but
this is not its original meaning. [...] Art has been propagandistic since
the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. These kings designed their pyramids to
project a feeling of power and durability. Similarly, the architecture of
the Romans served a political purpose - the glorification of the state. The
portraits painted in nineteenth-century France by Jacques-Louis David helped
to propagandize an heroic image of Napoleon. [...] Propaganda, when applied
to political poster, means the use of symbols, text and pictures to
influence the attitudes of the audience. Every political group makes
propaganda. Indeed, all groups that communicate with mass audiences must be
propagandistic."
Gary Yanker "Prop Art" 1972
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"Propaganda carries to many minds an unpleasant connotation. Yet whether, in
any instance, propaganda is good or bad depends upon the merit of the cause
urged, and the correctness of the information published. In itself, the word
"propaganda" has certain technical meanings which, like most things in this
world, are neither good nor bad, but custom makes them so. [...] We can see
that in its true sense propaganda is a perfectly legitimate form of human
activity. Any society, whether it be social, political or religious, which
is possessed of certain beliefs, and sets out to make them known, either by
the spoken or written words, is practicing propaganda. Truth is mighty and
must prevail, and if any body of men believe that they have discovered a
valuable truth, it is not merely their privilege but their duty to
disseminate that truth. [...] Propaganda in its proper meaning is a
perfectly wholesome word, of honest parentage, and with an honorable
history. The fact that it should to-day be carrying a sinister meaning
merely shows how much of the child remains in the average adult."
Edward L. Bernays "Propaganda" 1928
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"There can be good propaganda as well as bad propaganda. In general,
propaganda means the use of facts, fiction, argument and suggestion
sometimes supported by an effort to suppress inconsistent material, with the
calculated purpose of instilling in the recipient certain beliefs,
prejudices, or convictions which will serve the interest of the author,
usually by producing or tending to produce a certain line of action."
John B. Whitton and Arthur Larson "Propaganda; Towards Disarmament in the
War of Words" 1964
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"Psychological warfare is a fancy word for propaganda. Both mean the same
thing: use of words and ideas as a weapon of warfare against the enemy.
[...] To Americans, propaganda has always meant a horrible , nasty word like
"spit". It always had a foreign meaning and we considered it good only for
foreigners. Yet we Americans have been exposed to propaganda under a
different name in our everyday life. We call it advertising. [...] Selling
an idea to chew only a certain brand of gum, or drive only a certain make of
car, is propaganda, not too far removed from selling an enemy soldier or
people the idea of surrender because their cause is hopeless. Because
advertising is decorated in four beautiful colors and comes on a slick paper
with slick-sounding words, doesn't purge it of what it is: propaganda to
sell you a product or an idea."
Leo J. Margolin "Paper Bullets; A Brief Story of Psychological Warfare in
World War II" 1946
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"The term "propaganda" covers all deliberate action taken with the intent to
persuade a number of persons to do or think what the propagandist wishes.
[...] An attempt by one individual to persuade another to buy a motor car is
not propaganda in the ordinary sense. Propaganda is addressed to groups of
people, or to nations. [...] It is of the essence of propaganda that it
should influence persons to do or to think things which they would not do or
think if left to themselves."
Richard S. Lambert "Propaganda" 1938
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