Introduction
Propaganda is a potent tool for shaping public opinion toward a particular aspect. At the same time, it can be viewed as a branch of the science of communication that focuses on interacting with individuals and providing them with specific information. Although propaganda is more powerful today than in the past, the phenomenon has always been a part of human societies.
Authorities employed propaganda to outline the prevailing opinions and ensure the majority followed the course they had selected. From this perspective, propaganda is necessary to change society and ensure it is unified to attain specific goals. Lippmann and Lasswell, who worked in the given sphere and investigated the phenomenon, supported a similar view. They outlined its importance for society as an integral part of its work and the complexity of its functioning.
Perspectives on Propaganda
Lippmann’s View
Lippmann’s view on propaganda and competence in this sphere stems from his experience as part of institutions responsible for shaping public opinion. He worked on top-secret propaganda and psychological warfare projects (Trudel, 2017). Recognizing the need to counter the opposing camp’s ideology, Lippmann, a pioneer in communication research, focused on shaping public opinion in ways crucial for achieving common goals.
Accepting the power of the tool, he admitted that the state of emergency justified the radical manufacturing of public opinion (Trudel, 2017). He noted that selecting and presenting the content from a particular angle allows propagandists to present only one aspect necessary to shape public opinion. Nevertheless, despite being an active propagandist during World War I, Lippmann rejected using this tool for domestic politics (Trudel, 2017). It means that warfare was the factor that justified his involvement in manipulations with the ways information is presented.
Lasswell’s View
Lasswell’s understanding of propaganda also accepted its importance in shaping public opinion. He spoke about the necessity of resisting the Axis’s major assumptions during World War II by utilizing the content and presenting it in specific ways. Thus, Lasswell (2015) described propaganda as a science of managing the collective attitude by manipulating certain symbols and how they can be presented. Speaking about the phenomenon, he emphasized that the central problem is determining the effect of propaganda emanating from a source upon people who might be exposed to it (Lasswell, 2015).
Lasswell (2015) structures personality by outlining identifications, demands, and acceptances, and a correct understanding of these issues is essential for influencing public opinion. He admitted that propaganda is everywhere and sometimes necessary to resist external pressures. In this way, similar to Lippmann’s view, Lasswell accepts the importance of the phenomenon, especially when the nation faces challenges.
Specific Forms of Directed Forms of Persuasive Media in Northwest America
Summary of the Articles
In contemporary society, propaganda is potent, as it leverages omnipresent and rapidly evolving social media and the Internet. For instance, the global opposition between the USA and its allies, and China and Russia and their allies, results in numerous news stories that are created to shape public opinion. The New York Times, as one of the most influential newspapers in the United States, seeks to shape public opinion and highlight the notion of a potential threat emanating from China.
The article “A war with China would be unlike anything Americans faced before” (Babbage, 2023) directly represents the idea of military confrontation and risks associated with it. The authors persuade readers that the USA is on the edge of war with a powerful enemy due to the clash of strategic interests (Babbage, 2023). This approach contributes to forming a particular public opinion on the current state of relations with China.
Another example raises concerns about the nuclear threat posed by China. The article “U.S. is not ready for growing nuclear threat” (Hammer, 2023) shows that America faces an existential challenge at the moment. The author emphasizes that in a worst-case scenario, the nation will be destroyed because of the growing nuclear power of China and Russia (Hammer, 2023). As a result, the two forms of persuasive media shape public opinion to make people understand that the scope of challenges existing nowadays is significant, and it is essential to unite to be ready to resist them.
Analysis of Propaganda in the Articles
The selected examples employ persuasive techniques similar to those outlined by Lippmann and Lasswell. For instance, the first article uses the term “Chinese invasion of Taiwan” to represent the problem from a desired angle, omitting the fact that the USA has not officially recognized Taiwan as an independent state, same as the UN (Babbage, 2023, para. 2). It is a part of One-China policy that the UN and most powers in the world accepted. However, by presenting facts in a certain way, the authors shape public opinion to form an image of the enemy, which is crucial in the event of a potential military conflict with China. Additionally, emphasizing critical risks, the article ensures that people feel scared and ready to act to protect themselves.
The example also fits into the broader context and societal elements. Currently, the USA is presented as the protector of the Western world and democracy, while its enemies are represented as pure evil. From this perspective, the propaganda focuses on existential threats that emerge if the USA fails to protect its interests in a particular region. In this way, following Lippmann and Lasswell’s views, the media shapes public opinion to ensure their support for the current policy and readiness to enter into direct opposition with China.
In this regard, the media example can be related to Lippmann’s visions of how democratic societies offer news. He admits that people get from the troubled areas of the world “nothing that is not propaganda” (Lippmann, 1919, para. 31). The article above follows the same idea as the opposition between China and America is presented in the context that justifies all U.S. actions and, at the same time, makes its opponents aggressive, hostile, and evil. Exploiting the newspaper to present and cultivate specific ideas leads to transforming individuals’ mentalities and preparing people for the future clash with the countries labeled as enemies. It aligns with Lippmann’s vision of propaganda and its operation in the Western world.
Conclusion
Altogether, propaganda is an integral part of all human societies. It has always been used to shape public opinion and ensure the majority is ready to support the course selected by the authorities. Lippmann and Lasswell delved into the peculiarities of the phenomenon. War shaped their experiences and views, and propaganda was the tool to resist enemies and unite the nation. Currently, the media employs similar approaches to engage with the audience and persuade them to adopt specific perspectives. Analyzing some examples, it is clear that, just as over 75 years ago, information from troubled areas is often nothing more than propaganda used to manipulate people and persuade them to support the course selected by authorities.
References
Babbage, R. (2023). A war with China would be unlike anything Americans faced before. The New York Times.
Lasswell, H. (2015). Describing the contents of communications. In B. Smith & H. Lasswell (Eds.) Propaganda, communication, and public opinion (pp.74-117). Princeton University Press.
Lippmann, W. (1919). The basic problem of democracy. The Atlantic.
Hammer, M. (2023). U.S. is not ready for growing nuclear threat from Russia and China, report says. Time.
Trudel, D. (2017). Revisiting the origins of communication research: Walter Lippmann’s World War II adventure in propaganda and psychological warfare. International Journal of Communication, 11, 3721-3739.