Action Quote by Jacques Ellul
“Having analyzed these traits, we can now advance a definition of propaganda - not an exhaustive definition, unique and exclusive of all others, but at least a partial one: Propaganda is a set of methods employed by an organized group that wants to bring about the active or passive participation in its actions of a mass of individuals, psychologically unified through psychological manipulations and incorporated in an organization.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes, Jacques Ellul, 1965
Propaganda is a set of methods used by organized groups to secure mass participation, active or passive, through psychological manipulation and unified messaging.
In simple terms: Groups use tactics to get many people to act or think in line with their goals.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question coordinated influence attempts.
Themes
influence
psychology
mass communication
politics
media
Mood
critical
skeptical
alert
Type
analytical
educational
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- advertising
- public relations
- social movements
- education
Key Concepts
social engineering
coercion
identity formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify subtle propaganda in everyday media?
- What responsibilities do communicators have to avoid manipulation?
A Different Perspective
Propaganda can also serve defensive or protective functions, not only manipulative ones.
![“[Propaganda] must be aimed at the emotions and only to a very limited degree at the so-called intellect... The art of propaganda lies in understanding the emotional ideas of the great masses and finding, through a psychologically correct form, the way to the attention and thence to the heart of…” quote by Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ba/adolf-hitler-253_art_propaganda-must-be-aimed-at-the-emotions_1005060.jpg)
![“Propaganda tries to force a doctrine on the whole people; the [party] organization embraces within its scope only those who do not threaten on psychological grounds to become a brake on the further dissemination of ideas.” quote by Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f1b/adolf-hitler-253_brake_propaganda-tries-to-force-a-doctrine-on_1796242.jpg)
