Animal Quote by Revilo P. Oliver
“It is a truism, of course, that in "democratic" states the populace must be encouraged to imagine that it makes important decisions by voting, and must therefore be controlled by suitable propaganda, which implants ideas to which the voters respond as automatically as trained animals respond to words of command in a circus, thus leaving to the masses only a factitious choice between Tweedledum and Tweedledee on the basis of their preference for a certain kind of oratory, a hair-style, or a particular facial expression.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Propaganda of Democracy" by Revilo P. Oliver, 1940s
Democracies manipulate voters with propaganda, making choices appear meaningful while limiting real options.
In simple terms: Voters are steered by media, not free choice.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question political messaging.
Themes
political manipulation
media influence
democracy
choice
propaganda
Mood
skeptical
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- election campaigns
- media consumption
- public debates
- policy discussions
Key Concepts
psychology of persuasion
mass communication
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- How does media framing shape your political views?
- What alternatives exist to a binary choice?
A Different Perspective
Propaganda can be subtle and hard to detect.
