Propaganda
It is hard to ignore the large influence and wide scoping effects propaganda and all of its branches have produced within the last 100 years. Propaganda is the suggestive information designed to influence the minds and emotional attitudes towards a certain subject, idea, relationship or individual. Often this powerful tool is used for both honorable and dishonorable means. Propaganda seems to be essential as well, as its uses has been demonstrated throughout the course of history and will most likely continue as long as there is political strife and national interests at stake within the concept of international coexistence.
It is my firm belief that, although propaganda as a distinctive dirty side towards its uses, I believe it is an essential and honorable position within the conduct of affairs of the 20th century and throughout more recent times. In this essay I'll highlight that is not necessarily the propaganda itself that is destructive or coercive, but it is the messenger's purpose behind the affair that dictates whether or not propaganda is useful and within the context of humane treatment of one another.
Reany (2009) discussed how propaganda throughout the 20th century has been used for evil purposes. He used the examples of Hitler, Mao, and Joseph Stalin to demonstrate how millions of lives may be eradicated through the use of propaganda material. He continued to explain how Hitler used rational thought to human emotional needs to expose the vulnerability within humanity. Mein Kampf, Hitler's...
To many, Hitler's use of this psychological tactic is inexcusable. It is my belief however, that what is more detrimental is the ability of the human mind to fall suspect to such destructive behavior. It is up to those within the industry to regulate itself and prevent such horrible acts upon one another such as the Holocaust and other distasteful products of war as a result of effective propaganda techniques. Mass communications, and all the ethical responsibilities associated with this industry is not solely rested upon the propagandists.
Jowett & Odonnell (2005) explored the division between propaganda and persuasion by distinguishing the roles of both terms. These authors claimed that propaganda is a form of communication and it differs significantly from persuasive efforts, another type of communication. I agree with their analysis in this case and believe that propaganda and persuasive efforts are different even though propaganda uses persuasion within its own methods. Propaganda has a more societal benefit and is more influential upon group dynamics as opposed to an individual persuasion. These authors claim that individual behavior is a result of any type of communication should be viewed as such in support of their case with many examples.
The best example of modern-day propaganda used in the Western world is seen in the recent decade of war in the Middle East. Spreading Western values including truth and…
