Edward Bernays' Propaganda Takeaways Blog Post

 

Have your attitudes changed about propaganda after reading this book? 

Before reading this book my only outlook on propaganda was from my history class in high school which focused on viewing propaganda that was from world war III. From that, my opinions on propaganda were viewed as useful to help show certain opinions and views. After reading Bernays book, my attitudes are much different than that. Propaganda to me now is an instrument that is used to create justifications. With the numerous examples shown in this book brings a positive understanding and insurance to the usage of propaganda for me. 

 

What is the origin of the term propaganda? 

The first indications of propaganda were in 1622. Bernay states that Pope Gregory XV would use propaganda in the form to speak to his followers in a positive outlook. This positive outlook was reflective of propaganda during that era. 
What sparked the controversy and negative attitudes of propaganda were when it was used to show the reality of the war and combat during  World War I. 
From over a 100 years ago, this technique has led numerous people in aid of social importance. "Propaganda is the executive arm of the invisible government" (Bernay, 20). Demonstrating it was used to provide order.

 

Why is fashion a form of propaganda?

Fashion is a form of propaganda because it is viewed differently by everyone in the public eye. As Benay discusses in his book, propaganda is an instrument for the public to express itself. It is also viewed differently based on one's outlooks, whatever it be a professor or a laborer. Individuals with different values view propaganda differently, as they do fashion. Bernay explains this by stating "Propaganda can play a part in pointing out what is and what is not beautiful, a business can definitely help in this way to raise the level of American culture. In this process, propaganda will naturally make use of the authority of group leaders whose taste and opinions are recognized." (124). Depending on one's taste and opinions is an inspection of whether one's ideas are valued. 

 

Why must businesses rely on propaganda in order to thrive, according to Bernays?

In Bernays book, he talks a lot about public relations and how propaganda is used in it. For a business to thrive, one thing they must have is good public relations. According to Bernay, "Business now calls in the public relations counsel to advise it, to interpret its purpose to the public, and to suggest those modifications which may make it conform to the public demand." (67). The public relations job is to research the views of the marketing mix on how they portray propaganda. 

"Men do not need to be gathered in a public meeting to be subject to the influences of mass psychology," notes Bernays. How do propagandists influence people?

Propaganda is publicly open to the viewer's eye, magazines, tv, news, etc..The propagandists come into play by presenting the viewers with information that they want them to believe. It's almost as if they have the power to make people believe what they want. This quote shows that at the end of the day, the men will make decisions on how they are influenced, and this is because of the use of propaganda. For propagandists, they aim to influence attitudes, opinions, and behaviors.