Propaganda Techniques: 5 More Ways to Manipulate the Masses
Part 2 of my article about propagandistic influence and manipulation
Don’t be duped by Glittering Generalities or the Firehose of Falsehoods. In part one of my article on propaganda techniques, we looked into these and other methods of manipulation.
Propaganda is a means to sway personal and public opinion. Even though persuasion is not always the real goal. As writer Rob Henderson points out, sometimes authoritarians are merely “trying to remind you of their power”1.
There’s a fine line between legitimate influence and sinister manipulation. From Card Stacking to the Common Man, here are five more propaganda techniques worth knowing.
1. Card Stacking
Card Stacking is a form of propaganda that is used to manipulate an audience by selectively presenting facts and information to support an argument or position. The method can involve exaggerating, minimizing, or even omitting facts and evidence to support a desired outcome.
It’s arguably one of the most pervasive propaganda techniques. Just turn on the news or go on social media to watch people systematically favouring one side while downplaying another. The line between legitimately looking after one’s interest and secretly or unfairly manipulating circumstances is rarely clear.
2. Emotional Language
Emotional Language in terms of propaganda can refer to the use of language to evoke a strong emotional response. This can be done through words or phrases that carry a strong emotional weight, such as fear, anger, or hope. It’s often used to manipulate the audience and make them more likely to support a particular message or point of view.
You’ve probably heard of the Korean War. The term serves as a neutral description of the armed conflict between North and South Korea as well as UN troops from 1950 to 1953. In North Korea and China (who intervened with a volunteer force), however, the conflict is known by more emotional names. The rather biased expressions Glorious Fatherland Liberation War and War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea invoke strong feelings of pride and fear, anger and hope.
3. Gish Gallop
Gish Gallop is a tactic of argumentation used in political debates and other forms of discourse. The idea: One side attempts to overwhelm the other with a barrage of incomplete or misleading information. It’s named after creationist Duane Gish, who was known to use this technique during his debates.
The tactic involves presenting a rapid succession of weak arguments, leaving the opponent little time to refute them all. It often succeeds in creating confusion and making it difficult for the opponent to provide an effective response.
Ultimately, Gish Gallop is a form of propaganda, as its main purpose is to make the speaker's argument seem more persuasive by flooding the opponent with a large amount of information. As such, it’s similar to the Firehose of Falsehoods. Only a Gish Gallop happens in the context of a debate where the opponent is supposed to respond.
4. Personality Cult
A Personality Cult is a form of propaganda that exploits the personality of a leader or organisation to create a larger-than-life image. It’s used to promote the leader's self-image, ideals and beliefs. The cult of personality is usually created through a variety of means, including speeches, rallies, the press and other media outlets.
It’s designed to create a sense of reverence and admiration for the leader and his or her ideals and goals. The leader is often portrayed as an infallible figure, capable of achieving extraordinary things. This is why this type of propaganda is used to promote loyalty and obedience to the leader, as well as to instil fear in those who do not conform.
The story of the Kim dynasty of North Korea is the story of a personality cult if there ever was one. It’s impossible to escape it. Books such as The Great Man Kim Jong Il, glorify the leaders for their wisdom and benevolence. Paintings and images are present everywhere from the subway to the local bowling lane. A visit to the mausoleum where Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are lying in state is akin to the religious experience of encountering god himself.
5. Common Man
Quite the opposite is the Common Man (aka Plain Folks) propaganda technique. The common man is a symbol used to represent the average person or the masses. The tactic can be used to show how a particular policy or idea affects the everyday person, making it relatable and important to them. It can also be used to rally people behind a cause or idea by showing how it benefits both, Jane Ordinary and the average Joe.
Notice how politicians in particular try to appeal to the common person. By emphasising their modest beginnings or showing how they worked their way up from a poor family. This is often done by adopting words, phrases and accents associated with the working class. “My mum was a factory worker who walked 10 miles to work each day so she could put food on the table. So trust me. I know your struggles.”
BONUS: Slogans
Slogans are short, memorable phrases or statements used to capture the attention of a target audience and promote a particular product, cause, or idea. They’re often employed in propaganda to engage the public, evoke an emotional response, and shape public opinion.
Slogans typically create a sense of unity and loyalty among the members of a group. As such, they tend to be used to reinforce a political or ideological message. They may challenge or oppose existing beliefs or attitudes and are usually repeated ad nauseam.
Workers of the world, unite! is an example of a political slogan born out of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engel’s Communist Manifesto. In his essay The Power of the Powerless, former Czech dissident Vaclav Havel, describes how it was used to ensure compliance of the public.
The former statesman tells the story of a greengrocer who is asked to display a sign with the slogan in his shop window. A refusal to do so would make him appear treacherous. Compliance would show everyone he submits himself to the regime. As a result, public disagreement with the ideology becomes a non-option. It doesn’t matter if he agrees with the slogan either. As long as the greengrocer is forced to “live within the lie” of signalling loyalty to the system.
This brings us back to Henderson’s sentiment about propaganda serving as a constant reminder of who’s in charge. To not be persuaded by propaganda techniques is one thing. To be in a position to expose and refute propaganda is another. Sometimes it doesn’t matter if you believe the message as long as you act as if you do. 🐘
Cheers,
Chris
themindcollection.com
According to Rob Henderson and his piece on The True Purpose of Propaganda.