Unseen Propaganda

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"For an agitator who shows himself capable of expounding ideas to the great masses must always be a psychologist, even though he may be only a demagogue. Therefore he will always be a much more capable leader than the contemplative theorist who meditates on his ideas, far from the human throng and the world. For to be a leader means to be able to move the masses. The gift of formulating ideas has nothing whatsoever to do with the capacity for leadership." (Mein Kampf, Chapter XI)



(This page is a work in progress.)

What is Unseen Propaganda?

Unseen propaganda is any kind of material that is not obviously propaganda but whose origin is obvious and undoubted. The item is accepted for something other than what it really is. Unseen is not a commonly used term for propaganda - we made it up. Demagoguery fits this category. It isn't black propaganda - there you don't know the source.

Unseen propaganda is everywhere in political campaigns, although that is certainly not the only arena where it is used. It is particulary dangerous because the target audience is unaware of being influenced by propaganda.


Definition(s)

  • Common Ground: Philosophers describe the "common ground," which also can be "common knowledge." This is a body of little bits of information, factoids, assertions, etc which enter into your knowledge base unquestioned. Philosophers call this "not at issue content." "Not at issue" means that the item is not the subject of debate or question; it is simply assimilated into the common ground, even if it is misleading.
  • Demagogue: A demagogue is someone, usually a politician, who plays on the ideologies, desires, emotions and fears of the audience. Rational argument is not used. Adolf Hitler, Sen. Joseph McCarthy, Gov. George Wallace, and lately Donald Trump are examples.
  • Ideology: The set of ideas and beliefs of a group or political party. (learnersdictionary.com) These beliefs can strongly influence thinking.
  • Flawed Ideology: One or more beliefs in an ideology that are not true in the real world. Such beliefs, strongly embedded, are considered to be disabling, meaning that they prevent the individual from learning about the real world. They often originate in a flawed social structure.

Real Examples

How Does it work?

Preparation and presentation of this material requires deep knowledge of the ideologies, beliefs, fears, and education level of the target audience. There is more than one basis for this type of propaganda.

All of this will affect your thinking and reactions, and you will not be aware of why you think or react as you do. That's why we called it "unseen;" you react without being aware of it, although you know exactly where the message is coming from.


Ideological Beliefs

This propaganda is based on ideological beliefs embedded in the mind and prevent one from perceiving the real world clearly. These beliefs are almost completely resistant to evidence or obvious facts. When you see someone who steadfastly refuses to accept clear and solid evidence for/against something you are likely seeing a manifestation of what Jason Stanley (How Propaganda Works) has described as "flawed ideologies." Such beliefs may not be rational; they don't connect with the real world. They, in fact, can prevent one from learning about the real world; this is described as "epistemologically disabling." This means that such beliefs can literally prevent one from learning real truths about the real world.

The beliefs may be induced by the subject's social structures and therefore be deeply embedded in the psyche. Acknowledging that the belief is faulty can involve acknowledging something that severely challenges the subject's self-image or identity. Keeping the belief, although it is not representative of the real world, is easier than giving it up.


Fears

Everyone is afraid of something, and these fears make a real basis for propaganda. This is one manifestation of demagoguery; it is used by some political candidates. It can be described like this:

  1. Candidate stokes the fears of the audience, frightening them with ideas of bad outcomes if they don't act.
  2. Candidate then promotes him/herself as the solution to those fears. "Elect me and I will solve that problem. I will eliminate the source of your fear." This works.
The reaction to this is unconscious and extremely dangerous. Manipulating fear is one effective method of moving the masses as Hitler wrote. It is possible to "move the masses" in some desired direction and get yourself into a position of power; Hitler did it.


Forms of Unseen Materials

Political campaigns are an obvious setting for this sort of material; speeches, debates, and interviews are good media for it. Apparently extemporaneous remarks may seem unrehearsed but can carry a large influence. Any speech, campaign ad, public statement, or anything else can be used.

Conclusions

This type of propaganda is extremely manipulative; that is its purpose. If your beliefs and fears fall in the target group, the propagandist is likely to play you like a fisherman plays a fish, or a violinist plays the instrument. You will usually do what the propagandist wants you to do without being aware of it.

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References

  • How Propaganda Works; Jason Stanley (2015). Excellent reference, but deep.