propaganda and advertising
While the examples we have looked at so far are examples of negative propaganda, not all propaganda is used to belittle or condemn an opposing group or viewpoint. It is quite true that the examples from World War II all served a political purpose, and propaganda is still used for political purposes today. But propaganda is often not political at all.
As our definition of propaganda states, it simply has to do with trying to influence the beliefs of a group of people. These beliefs are often political, but they can also attempt to influence our religion (as in the case of Jonathan Edwards), our choice of lifestyle, or our spending habits. Today, advertisers use propaganda to try to influence potential consumers to buy their products. In fact, before the word "propaganda" came to be associated with the Nazis during World War II, advertising departments in America were actually called "propaganda departments." It was only after the war that they adopted the term "advertising" to avoid being associated with the repulsive practices of the Nazis.
As we know from the thousands of hours of television that we all have watched at this point in our lives, propaganda is not all bad. Many forms of propaganda carry positive messages, as well.
As our definition of propaganda states, it simply has to do with trying to influence the beliefs of a group of people. These beliefs are often political, but they can also attempt to influence our religion (as in the case of Jonathan Edwards), our choice of lifestyle, or our spending habits. Today, advertisers use propaganda to try to influence potential consumers to buy their products. In fact, before the word "propaganda" came to be associated with the Nazis during World War II, advertising departments in America were actually called "propaganda departments." It was only after the war that they adopted the term "advertising" to avoid being associated with the repulsive practices of the Nazis.
As we know from the thousands of hours of television that we all have watched at this point in our lives, propaganda is not all bad. Many forms of propaganda carry positive messages, as well.