Propaganda Versus Democracy

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, while political propaganda has become a characteristic means of appealing to public opinion, it is necessary to establish limits on government use of the media for the sake of propaganda. It discusses how this involves the communication of biased and sometimes incorrect information and, as one may observe through its use before and after the Iraq war, it has harmful consequences.

From the Paper:

"Propaganda is without a doubt a part of every individual's daily lives. Many may object to it and resent the practice of political propaganda by governments but, the truth is that people live in a world shaped by propaganda and constantly practice it themselves. This phenomenon is very clear if it is considered in relation to the definition for propaganda presented by political science scholar, Paul Dixon. Propaganda, as defined by Dixon, refers to a system of communicating information in a way that is specifically designed to influence opinions in a very particular way. Therefore, the information presented within this propaganda system is biased and not completely truthful (84-85). Throughout the history of government communication with the public, political propaganda has been the main style of these communications. In today's modern and hi-tech world, political propaganda can be more intensively and efficiently used through the exploitation of the media for the sake of appealing to and influencing public opinion. Moreover, the current media technology is capable of spreading propaganda across the world and thereby expanding its influence. Moreover, it has an entire set of high technology techniques such as video, sound, color, and special effects that are used to make the propaganda message even more persuasive. While many people may object to this practice as unethical deception, others may argue that governments are really not doing anything more than what individuals do on a daily basis. This is partly true. For instance, when some people speak with others and try to persuade them with their point of view, they are careful to select their words and facts to have the greatest persuasion effect on others and ultimately do not present the whole truth. Similarly, this is what governments do when they exploit the media to influence pubic opinion through propaganda except that there is one tremendous difference. When people use propaganda, its effect is limited and so is its purpose; they are only trying to influence a small group of people, maybe one person even, on one specific point. However, governments use it to establish policies that can change the history of the world and the fate of people and countries. This is what makes political propaganda dangerous and unacceptable. While political propaganda has become a characteristic means of appealing to public opinion it is necessary to establish limits on government use of the media for the sake of propaganda because it involve the communication of biased and sometimes incorrect information and, as one may observe through its use before and after the Iraq war, it has harmful consequences."

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