Propaganda Technique In The World War

A classic book on propaganda technique proposes a general theory of the strategy and tactics of propaganda. This classic book on propaganda technique focuses on American, British, French, and German experience in World War I. The book sets forth a simple classification of various psychological materials used to produce certain specific results and proposes a general theory of strategy and tactics for the manipulation of these materials. In an introduction (coauthored by Jackson A. Giddens) written for this edition, Harold Lasswell notes that this study was partially an exercise in the discovery of appropriate theory. It raised the crucial questions of how to classify the content of propaganda—for instance, a distinction is made between "value demands" (war aims, war guilt, and casting the enemy as evil personified) and "expectations" (the illusion of victory)—and how to summarize the procedures employed in organizing and carrying out propaganda operations. Propaganda Technique in World War I deals primarily with problems of internal administration and lateral coordination rather than with the relationship between policymakers and propagandists. However, Jackson Giddens enumerates procedures in the book that illustrate an underlying assumption that decision makers were deeply involved in propaganda and influenced by considerations of public opinion. He takes the study of propaganda further by elaborating on the nature and meaning of the category of "war aims" and its relation to the propagandist, for this, more than any other category of content, "is the catalyst of transnational political action." Giddens's exploration of the development of a comprehensive theory of propaganda adds another dimension to Lasswell's study while confirming its value as outstanding groundwork for continuing research.

Reprint of an ed. published in New York in 1938 by Peter Smith.

"Professor Lasswell has made a most important contribution to the study of war. Basing his essay upon the thesis that modern war must be fought on three fronts, the military, the economic and the propagandist, he has given a comprehensive account of the direction of the third front in the World War. His bibliography is extensive, including more than a hundred books and articles of recent date upon the specific propaganda of the World War, or in general discussion of public opinion inspired by it." (New Republic, 1927) Harold D. Lasswell's thesis offers a general theory of the strategy and role of propaganda within a military campaign. While the examples focus on the First World War, the principles and patterns carry over to modern day warfare, politics, business, and social movements. We undergo a constant barrage of overt and covert propaganda, which can only be effectively countered by recognizing it and understanding its function. This well-written book is both objective and discerning while explaining how and why propaganda works. This reprint includes two supplemental papers, "Propaganda behind the lines," by Maj. C. J. C. Street, and "Control of propaganda as a psychological problem," by Prof. Edward K. Strong, Jr., both referenced in Lasswell's text.

The SAGE Handbook of Propaganda unpacks the ever-present and exciting topic of propaganda to explain how it invades the human psyche, in what ways it does so, and in what contexts. As a beguiling tool of political persuasion in times of war, peace, and uncertainty, propaganda incites people to take, often violent, action, consciously or unconsciously. This pervasive influence is particularly prevalent in world politics and international relations today. In this interdisciplinary Handbook, the editors have gathered together a group of world-class scholars from Europe, America, Asia, and the Middle East, to discuss leadership propaganda, war propaganda, propaganda for peace marketing, propaganda as a psychological tool, terror-enhanced propaganda, and the contemporary topics of internet-mediated propaganda. Unlike previous publications on the subject, this book brings to the forefront current manifestations and processes of propaganda such as Islamist, and Far Right propaganda, from interdisciplinary perspectives. In its four parts, the Handbook offers researchers and academics of propaganda studies, peace and conflict studies, media and communication studies, political science and governance marketing, as well as intelligence and law enforcement communities, a comprehensive overview of the tools and context of the development and evolution of propaganda from the twentieth century to the present: Part One: Concepts, Precepts and Techniques in Propaganda Research Part Two: Methodological Approaches in Propaganda Research Part Three: Tools and Techniques in Counter-Propaganda Research Part Four: Propaganda in Context

Excerpt from The Political Writings of Harold D. Lasswell: Psychopathology and Politics; Politics: Who Gets What, When, How; Democratic Character When we contemplate the ebb and flow of public life, it is possible to make sense Of it as marking the rise or fall Of social classes, or skill groups, or attitude groups, or personality types. If we think of politics from a manipulative standpoint, it is appropriate to consider the strategy and tactics of handling violence, goods, symbols, and practices. The succinct and abundant examples used in the Politics made it comprehensible to students and laymen alike. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

During World War II, the UK government created the Central Office of Information to act as the country s marketing and communications agency. In these desperate times, the Office produced steady streams of propaganda for the home front, for the colonies and for dissemination through occupied countries. In addition to patriotic material encouraging Britons to maintain a stiff upper lip, thousands of postcards, leaflets, posters, booklets and other promotional materials were dropped from aircraft over occupied countries in World War II. In 2000, the master set of copies was deposited with the British Library, making an enormous collection of great social and historical significance available to the public for the first time."