elective and deceptive (Grolier
Multimedia Encyclopedia, Propaganda).
A booklet prepared for the War Department in 1944 defines propaganda much in
the same way by stating it "has to do with any ideas and beliefs that are
intentionally propagated. It attempts to reach a goal by making use of words
and word substitutes (pictures, drawings, graphs, exhibits, parades, songs, and
similar devices)" (WWW, Politrop-Definitions). Evidence of this is apperent as
everyday, people across the world open numerous e-mails containing jokes,
enlightening anecdotes, humorous or disasterous cartoon images, and much more.
Summers, in a book on psychological warfare describes propaganda as having
"no essential preoccupation with the truth; it is the guerrilla warfare of
communication, it creeps up on your blind side saying one thing and meaning
another; clothed in friendliness and good intentions like a bad fairy, it
seduces you into taking a bite from the beautiful poisoned apple" (24).
But what is the purpose for this manipulation and coercion? During times of
"propaganda is enacted in a situation with strictly limited goals. Under
whatever conditions, the objective of propagandists in wartime is to
maximize social participation among members of their own group and to
minimize participation among members of the enemy group. Social
participation is characterized by concern for the objectives of the group, the
sharing of its activities, and the preparedness to accept deprivation on its
behalf. High 'participation' is identical with high 'morale' " (Berelson,
However, before this persuasion can take place, it is important to take the
time to learn about a particular audience. Knowing in advance "what they
already believe and what they will believe" is vital when "the job of fitting
...