PROPAGANDA (9.3)
A deliberate attempt to persuade a person to accept a point of view or take
a certain action; a goal to create a particular belief.
• Interest groups exist to influence public policies.
• Why?
• For their benefit and the benefit of their members.
Mass Media
• Encourages use of propaganda
• Seven techniques
Name Calling
• Unpleasant names• Sometimes false• Ex.
– Crook– Liberal– Un-American– Foolish– Terrorist’s friend
Plain Folks
• Appear to be “one of the folks”
• Ex.– Kissing babies– Wearing plain clothes– Pictures at home with
family
Transference
• Associate candidate with respected symbol or product
• Ex.– Patriotic symbols– Like Lincoln– War veteran
Testimonials/Endorsements
• Well-known person expresses their support for a candidate or
• product• Ex.
– Oprah Winfrey for Obama
– Joe the Plumber for McCain
Card-Stacking
• Telling only one side of a story
• Ex.– List only positive achievements– Listing unwise policies of opponent
Bandwagon
• “Everyone’s doing it” approach– EX.
• Candidate refers to self as frontrunner
• Lists all who support
Glittering Generalities
• Using words that sound good, but don’t say much, catchy slogans– Ex.
• Vets for Chet• Proven performance• Freedom, equality, qualified, ethical• “Change”• Putting People First
Political ads
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU7fhIO7DG0
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EL5Atp_vF0
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIrFSvuEheE
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tELWG5sUmBA
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHq1sc38LBA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU7fhIO7DG0 dale
• The bear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVvGb1H228w