21. Contemporary politics and propaganda

1. Pr and political propaganda

Propaganda is a key part of the political processes. Propaganda is distinct from information which seeks to transmit facts objectively. The aim of propaganda is the opposite: to persuade its subject or public of one point of view and to close off other options.

Propaganda

Information

“ Propaganda task is the highest creative art of putting sometimes complicated events and facts in a way simple enough to be understood by the man on the street. Its purpose is to lead the people to the understanding that will allow them to willingly and without internal resistance devote themselves to the tasks and goals of a superior leadership. Propaganda is neither good or evil. Its moral value is determined by the goals it seeks”

The aim of political propaganda: the persuade public of one point of view, and to close off other options.

Propaganda is limited in its effect. Recent research has examined “resistance” or “immunity” to it. In the short term it is effective, but in the longer term it is less effective, as the audience has the time and opportunity to question its assumptions.

The effective propagandist (PR) must be a master of the art of speech, of writing, of journalism, of the poster, and of the leaflet.

“ABC” of propaganda

1) Name –calling –

2) Glittering generality –

3) Testimonial-

4) Plain-folks

5) Card-stacking –

6) Band-wagon –

7) Rumors

2. Information war.

Information war is modern variant of propaganda. The war is led in the information space. The Cold war was information war. Election campaigns are also information war with the own auditorium.

Aims of information war:

*1)

2)

3)

Contemporary information wars are waged as in the limits of one state ( M. Lewinsky) so between countries ( Kosovo)

Information war is directed on destructive reorganization of a system when all parts of the system began to work against it. Any event may be intensified or weakened in information space. ( Terrorist act of the 11-th of September- Nord-Ost)

Event I Strengthening

Mass media

E vent II Weakening

Main principles of information war- protection of its own information space from opponent and information influence on the public of counter-part.

Types of information war:

1) information-technological – main objects of impact and protection are: information-technological systems (communication, telecommunication, systems of data transmitting, radio-electronic systems)

2) information-psychological – psychology of public and political elite, system of public consciousness formation, formation of public opinion.

Tactics and methods of information war

1)

2)

3) Prohibition – “ Killing me softly”

4) Psychological work

5) Internet

6)Dispersion of attention

Glossary

Information war информационная война

Task for office hours- Principles of political propaganda

Task for IWS- Examples of information war

References

Аги У,КамеронГ. Самое главное в PR, Питер 2009