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Manchester University Press

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Introduction: Looking Through a Glass Onion

Propaganda, Psychological Warfare and Persuasion

Abstract

From the perspective of the modern information and communications age, the word 'propaganda' continues to imply something evil. Propaganda is a powerful tool for perpetuating power relationships. The problem in much propaganda theory is that the recipient is felt to be empowered as well, in other words, he or she can reject the messages - provided they can be detected. This book may almost be regarded as a handbook to aid that detection. If war is essentially an organized communication of violence, propaganda and psychological warfare are essentially organized processes of persuasion. The book explains why propaganda and war have always been inextricably connected. The munitions of the mind, like other conventional weapons, have admittedly become more sophisticated with advances in technology, but yesterday's epic poem or painting is really no more than the equivalent of today's propaganda film or television broadcast.

Abstract

From the perspective of the modern information and communications age, the word 'propaganda' continues to imply something evil. Propaganda is a powerful tool for perpetuating power relationships. The problem in much propaganda theory is that the recipient is felt to be empowered as well, in other words, he or she can reject the messages - provided they can be detected. This book may almost be regarded as a handbook to aid that detection. If war is essentially an organized communication of violence, propaganda and psychological warfare are essentially organized processes of persuasion. The book explains why propaganda and war have always been inextricably connected. The munitions of the mind, like other conventional weapons, have admittedly become more sophisticated with advances in technology, but yesterday's epic poem or painting is really no more than the equivalent of today's propaganda film or television broadcast.

Munitions of the mind
Ein Kapitel aus dem Buch Munitions of the mind
Heruntergeladen am 11.5.2026 von https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.7765/9781847790927.00005/html?lang=de
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