Did you know that no matter where we are or what we are doing, we are constantly being manipulated by different types of propaganda? This is true regardless of whether you are an average American citizen just trying to make a living, or even one of the many thousands of incarcerated individuals confined in a correctional institution. The fact is that propaganda comes in many different flavors, and for the average American, we have no way to decipher these different forms of propaganda. But now we can, with “You Can’t Fool Me: The Art of Propaganda,” the top 20 most commonly used types of propaganda, art one:
1. Assertions. Assertions are statements presented as fact, but with no explanation or evidence presented to back up the statement. For example, “I am the best candidate for this position.”
2. Bandwagon. Bandwagon convinces us to accept someone or something because of its popularity, such as everyone is doing it, buying it, and voting for it. For example, everyone interviewed supports raising taxes on the wealthy.
3. Card stacking. Card stacking arranges or distorts facts and information that support only one side. For example, telling just part of a story so an opponent looks bad.
4. Emotional word repetition. Emotional word repetition builds up strong feelings in the reader by using words that appeal to emotions.
5. Empty phrases. Empty phrases uses broad promises or phrases that don’t really mean anything.
6. Facts and figures. Facts and figures uses tests, statistics, or information that sounds scientific to prove that one product or person is better than another. Statistics can be misused. Statistics can be based on falsehoods.
7. Glittering generalities. Glittering generalities is a phrase or concept that sounds great, such as freedom, honor, and glory, but there is no real explanation as to what the candidate or product means by it. For example, during the McKinley 1896 campaign, the words patriotism, protection, and prosperity were used. Glittering generalities tells only positive things about something or someone without giving them the facts.
8. Guilt by association. Guilt by association implies that the friends or relatives of those who fail or do wrong must also be failures or wrongdoers.
9. Hidden fears. Hidden fears suggest that a person or product will protect you against something unpleasant or dangerous.
10. Lesser of two evils. The lesser of two evils is compared to the alternative; “This is the best.” For example, during the 1944 presidential election, the quote was used, “Don’t swap horses in midstream.”
This concludes part one of “You Can’t Fool Me: The Art of Propaganda.” Please be sure to join me next week as we will continue to explore the top 20 most commonly used types of propaganda.
I’m William Tanner, reporting live behind the wire for Prison Radio.
These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.
