Propaganda
• Derives from Latin word for “propagate”
• From the name of a missionary organization started
by Pope Gregory XV in 1623, Congregatio de
propaganda fide (Congregation for Propagating the
Faith)
• Common definition: (the spreading of) ideas,
information, or rumor for the purpose of helping an
institution, cause, or person
“Appeals”: Methods Used
Glamor
Shame
Fear
(2)
(1)
(4)
Name-Calling
Glittering
Generalities
(1)
(1)
Glamor Appeal … poster 1 of 10
German WWII propaganda poster
Glamor Appeal … poster 2 of 10
American WWII propaganda poster
Shame Appeal
… poster 3 of 10
American WWII
propaganda poster
Fear Appeal … poster 4 of 10
American WWI propaganda poster
Fear Appeal: Demonization
 Make the enemy inhuman and, therefore, easier to exclude
(and easier for us to have no qualms about killing)
WWI Posters like
Stop Him! (#4):
 Hide the enemy’s eyes; give “it” demonic features (claws,
etc.) Less human suggests less moral
 “Evangelical references satanized the enemy, and
imparted a sense of justice, even holiness, on the
actions the Allies were taking against them.
”
 “Another method utilized Darwinian beliefs. The
Allies were portrayed as evolutionarily superior, and
the Germans in contrast, were cruel almost
inhuman savages.
Source for quotations: http://www.duke.edu/~ejh2/ps120/method.htm
“
Undoing Demonization?
“In creating deep-seated beliefs to garner support
for the war, propagandists effectively made it more
difficult to end the war. How does a nation
transform itself from the great demon of the
time to a friendly neighbor once again? The
second World War started, in part, because of the
peace that ended the first Great War. World War I
propaganda might thus have contributed, though
indirectly, to the start of World War II.”
Source: http://www.duke.edu/~ejh2/ps120/method.htm
Fear Appeal …
poster 5 of 10
British WWII
propaganda poster
Fear Appeal …
poster 6 of 10
Australian WWII
propaganda poster
Fear Appeal …
poster 7 of 10
“These posters rock people out of
their complacency with grim,
unromantic visions of war. They
depict the human cost of war,
confronting the viewer with
corpses, bloodshed, and
gravestones….These images
appeal to darker impulses,
fostering feelings of suspicion,
fear, and even hate.”
Source: Nat’l Archives Exhibit on U.S. in WWII
http://wae.clever.net/webcat/powers/powers.htm
American WWII propaganda poster
Name-Calling Definition … p. 1 of 3
The name-calling technique links a person, or
idea, to a negative symbol. The propagandist who
uses this technique hopes that the audience will
reject the person or the idea on the basis of the
negative symbol, instead of looking at the
available evidence.
Methods:
Bad Names (less subtle)
Negative Emotional Charge (more subtle)
Source: http://carmen.artsci.washington.edu/propaganda/name.htm
Name-Calling Definition … p. 2 of 3
Bad Names:
 Commie
 Fascist
 Pig
 Yuppie Scum
Queer
 Feminazi
Source: http://carmen.artsci.washington.edu/propaganda/name.htm
Name-Calling … poster 8 of 10
German WWII propaganda poster
Name-Calling Definition … p. 3 of 3
“A more subtle form of name-calling involves words or
phrases that are selected because they possess a negative
emotional charge. Those who oppose budget cuts may
characterize fiscally conservative politicians as ‘stingy.’
Supporters might prefer to describe them as ‘thrifty.’ Both
words refer to the same behavior, but they have very different
connotations. Examples of negatively charged words include:
 social engineering
 radical
 stingy”
Source: http://carmen.artsci.washington.edu/propaganda/name.htm
Glittering Generalities … poster 9 of 10
Canadian WWII
propaganda poster
Glittering Generalities … p. 1 of 2
“We believe in, fight for, live by virtue words about
which we have deep-set ideas. Such words include
civilization, Christianity, good, proper, right,
democracy, patriotism, motherhood, fatherhood,
science, medicine, health, and love.
“…We call these virtue words "Glittering Generalities"
in order to focus attention upon this dangerous
characteristic that they have: They mean different things
to different people; they can be used in different ways.
“This is ... a criticism of the uses to which propagandists
put the cherished words and beliefs of unsuspecting
people.”
Source: IPA website at http://carmen.artsci.washington.edu/propaganda/glitter.htm
Glittering Generalities … p. 2 of 2
“The Glittering Generality is, in short, Name
Calling in reverse. While Name Calling seeks to
make us form a judgment to reject and condemn
without examining the evidence, the Glittering
Generality device seeks to make us approve and
accept without examining the evidence. In
acquainting ourselves with the Glittering Generality
Device, therefore, all that has been said regarding
Name Calling must be kept in mind…”
See also: “Addendum to Propaganda” slide 5
Source: IPA website at http://carmen.artsci.washington.edu/propaganda/glitter.htm
Follow-up:
Alternate List of Methods Used
Alternate List:
• same
• same
• co-opt use of an emotion-stirring symbol
• seem to align with a respected person
• that leader is just like you or me
• stack the deck: bias in giving evidence
• “everyone’s doing it”
Name-Calling
Glittering Generalities
Transfer
Testimonial
Plain Folks
Card-Stacking
Band Wagon
Source: The Institute For
Propaganda Analysis, 1937
Transfer … poster
10 of 10
“In the Transfer device, symbols are
constantly used. The cross represents
the Christian Church. The flag
represents the nation. Cartoons like
Uncle Sam represent a consensus of
public opinion. Those symbols stir
emotions . At their very sight, with the
speed of light, is aroused the whole
complex of feelings we have with
respect to church or nation.”
Source: IPA website at
http://carmen.artsci.washington.edu/
propaganda/transfer.htm
See also: “Addendum to Propaganda” slide 6
British WWII
propaganda poster
All these “propaganda methods”
rely on fallacious logic
Here is a particular type of syllogistic fallacy called “fallacy of the undistributed middle term.”
 Premise 1: Bill Clinton supported gun-control
legislation.
 Premise 2: All fascist regimes of the twentieth
century passed gun-control legislation.
 Conclusion: Bill Clinton was a fascist.
Summary: propaganda relies
on its recipient not thinking
Source: IPA website at http://carmen.artsci.washington.edu/propaganda/logic.htm
Key question:
Who thinks?