Propaganda: any association, systematic scheme, or concerted movement
for the propagation of a particular doctrine or practice
Selective History, Half-truths & Lies
The word propaganda, coined in 1622 when Pope Gregory XV perturbed by the spread of Protestantism, had little, let alone derogatory, use in the English language prior to WWI. The word applied in modern political language as a term of blame to secret associations against the spread of opinions and principles opposed by governments. Not always perceived as an instrument of aversion, depending on its authors and aim, the consequences of propaganda may be harmless or beneficial. Campaigning to improve public health via vaccinations or sanitary cooking are some examples of it's initial use, in an effort to propagate an agenda.
1915 began the year that governments systematically deployed modern media to "awaken" the masses. Public relations then became a force that must be managed. This developing field, able to celebrate or sell (e.g., democracy, etc.), became so successful that it suddenly legitimized propagandists, who began massaging the public opinion of entities like General Motors, Procter & Gamble, John D. Rockefeller, General Electric.
Upon the signing of the Versailles Treaty to the Crash of 1929, propaganda began to boom. A generation of professional propagandists sold their talents to Big Business through books, essays, speeches, events praising the efficacious effects of advertising and publicity. Able to do more than make some people richer, the propagandists set out to sell or "advance" civilization, teaching the public how to become happy and presentable Americans through smart consumption. Similarly, the post-war propaganda was extremely successful, persuading everyone from businessmen, journalists to politicians that "the manufacture of consent" was necessary throughout the public.
Any yet, the same force that had driven the word propaganda into common conversation had also made the term pejorative. Propagandists themselves besmirched the word by using it only in reference to the enemy. For example, the Americans never used the word to refer to their own input, but rather in German hands, the word had become associated with deceit and corruption.
1915 began the year that governments systematically deployed modern media to "awaken" the masses. Public relations then became a force that must be managed. This developing field, able to celebrate or sell (e.g., democracy, etc.), became so successful that it suddenly legitimized propagandists, who began massaging the public opinion of entities like General Motors, Procter & Gamble, John D. Rockefeller, General Electric.
Upon the signing of the Versailles Treaty to the Crash of 1929, propaganda began to boom. A generation of professional propagandists sold their talents to Big Business through books, essays, speeches, events praising the efficacious effects of advertising and publicity. Able to do more than make some people richer, the propagandists set out to sell or "advance" civilization, teaching the public how to become happy and presentable Americans through smart consumption. Similarly, the post-war propaganda was extremely successful, persuading everyone from businessmen, journalists to politicians that "the manufacture of consent" was necessary throughout the public.
Any yet, the same force that had driven the word propaganda into common conversation had also made the term pejorative. Propagandists themselves besmirched the word by using it only in reference to the enemy. For example, the Americans never used the word to refer to their own input, but rather in German hands, the word had become associated with deceit and corruption.
References
Bernays, E., & Miller, M. (2005). Propaganda. Brooklyn, N.Y.: IG Publishing.
