Q. Explain the nature (characteristics) and uses of propaganda.

The term propaganda is defined as the purveying of lies by

conscienceless writers and speakers. It the communication of distorted
ideas or inadequate facts or both conveyed in a manner or tone so as to
create in the object of propaganda an emotional response favorable to
the implicit bias of the propagandist.
Definition of propaganda:
According to Clyde R Miller propaganda is the attempt to influence
others to some predetermined end by appealing to their thought and
feeling.
According to Anderson and Parker propaganda is the deliberate
use of communication to induce people to favor one predetermined line
of thought or action over another.
Kimball Young writes for our purposes we shall define propaganda
as the more or less deliberate planned and systematic use of symbol
chiefly through suggestion and related psychological techniques with a
view first to altering and controlling opinions, ideas and values and
ultimately to changing overt action along predetermined lines.
Nature of propaganda:
Propaganda is the use of reasoning or facts in order to persuade
another person to favor a particular kind of action that he would
otherwise not favor. However propaganda is not necessarily the
propagation of wrong views by questionable methods. Groups and
organizations whose objectives have been socially constructive have
often resorted to the method of propaganda. The Family Planning Dept.
in order to control the birth rate has used all the devices of propaganda.
Propaganda can also said to be the most effective when it rests upon
verifiable information. It can readily justify itself in terms of the real
interests of the target groups and can show a genuine commonality or
interests among the individuals who compose the group. It is only the
activity of the some vested propagandists which has given the term
propaganda its bad connotation. Propaganda is merely a means of
influencing others often towards a desirable end. It aims at persuasion
by means of symbols.
Every government maintains a dept. to influence people in the direction
of accepted patterns though they prefer to call it the dept. of public
relations or publicity instead of propaganda.

Uses of Propaganda
Propaganda is a powerful force. In modern times it has come to play an
important role. The modern world is dependent on it. The govt.,
business houses, the political parties and various other sections of
society use it so serve their own purposes.
Propaganda can be useful to bring about a change in the policy of the
government. In India the propaganda against dowry and sex distinctions
led the govt. of India to enact laws prohibiting dowry and giving equal
rights to women in the matter of inheritance. The propaganda against
compulsory sterilization forced the govt. to change not only its policy
regarding family planning programme but also the name of the Ministry
from the Ministry of Family Planning to Ministry for Family Welfare.
The Govt. also uses propaganda to win people's cooperation for
implementing its policies and programmes. Thus the family planning
programme was widely publicized and vast propaganda machinery was
mobilized to influence the people in its favor. Propaganda is a powerful
instrument to bring about social change. It is difficult to change the
habits and attitudes of the people. The propagandist through
psychological aids goes directly to the springs of motivation.
Propaganda is an important medium for transmitting those pressures
which help in breaking the bonds of the traditional social order.
Propaganda has played a very useful role during war time. In both the
world wars both sides made wide use of propaganda. It helps in
crushing the morale of the army and civil population in the enemy state
and in building up the morale of the army and civil population in one's
own state.
In the two world wars the battle on the propaganda front was as intense
as on the military front. During the freedom struggle in India the
Congress Party carried intensive propaganda to promote anti-British
feelings.

Thus the state in modern times cannot do without propaganda.

Q. Describe in detail various techniques of propaganda

1. Introduction:
Propaganda is a means of influencing people. It is as old as the
human group and has been employed at all times and on all cultural
levels. Psychological warfare is the use of propaganda against an enemy
through the employment of modern media of mass communications
together with such other operational measures and devices of a military,
economic or political nature as may be required to supplement
propaganda for the purpose of reaching mass audiences in order to
persuade them to accept certain beliefs and ideas.
It is used to undermine the enemy's resistance, to dissuade
neutrals from joining the other side or to encourage friends and others.
The value of psychological warfare as a technique of propaganda is yet
unknown. Soreno points out that this kind of warfare depends on the
skill and ability of the warrior to understand the problems of the enemy
or target people and their patterns of thought and action and to affect
them with all the means at his disposal 2. Different techniques of
propaganda:
(1) Repetition:
 It is when the product name is repeated many times during an
advertisement. This technique may use a jingle, which is appealing to
the masses and fits in their minds.
The ultimate secret of success in propaganda; making use to the full of
indirect and direct suggestion, the force of desire, and the appeal of
logic; is persistent repetition. Although clumsy repetition may produce
weariness, or even disgust, with due skill, endless repetition will produce
effects where brief campaigns may fail. Commercial propagandists
understand very well the wastefulness of sporadic or occasional
advertising, and the efficiency of the "follow up" process. For any other
type of propaganda, the essential thing, after outlining the idea to be
impressed, is to talk about it continuously: to talk in carefully chosen
words, and with due respect to the principles above laid down; to talk
amiably; to introduce constantly new forms and ways of talking—but
never omitting the formulas which have been adopted for the idea; and
above all, to keep talking. One of the effective features of the campaign
against the saloon was the steady persistence in the broadcasting of the
slogans: "the saloon must go;" "the saloon is the plaguespot of
civilization;" "the sources of political corruption are in the saloons," and
so on. In the course of time these repetitions, rather than the moral and
economic arguments, did their work, and the idea became generally
accepted. The acceptance is indeed so firm that the agitation for the
repeal of the Volstead Act is futile, because the agitators have no
constructive plan to offer for the distribution of alcoholic beverages
which would obviate the return of the saloon.
(2) Exaggeration
The important thing in any kind of publicity is to get people
affected. Therefore, exaggerations are used in any type of propaganda.
This type of exaggeration is used in advertisements. Millions use it to
show that their goods are better than others. Exaggerated propaganda
is that their own thing is unique and incompatible. Like, lux soap is
beautician, thumps up give freshness etc. This same experiment is used
in political and religious fields too. In which the praise of his party or
sect. there uses popular words to show that their party or sect followed
the values and goals of society. Like as glorious culture of India,
secularism, Democracy and Equality, Brotherhood and Freedom etc.
(3) Identification
The extent to which things can be identified in the publicity, the
attention of the people is greatly appreciated. No stranger is able to
explain to others without some circumstance. We are
more impressed with those with whom we have close
Identification So the propagator tries three ways to
create identification in the propaganda.
(i) The propagator is tray to be very familiar with the audience's
atmosphere to create identification. So, that the message of the
propagator becomes more concrete and acceptable.(ii) The
propagator introduces the facts through words, language or
gestures, as he is familiar to us. (iii) Propagator trying to look
himself as linked with public interest, is agree or giving support.
So, identification become thicker and propaganda made
effective.
(4) Name-calling:
Name-calling, also called stereotyping or labeling is another
propaganda technique. Direct name-calling is a direct attack on an
opponent. If it is likely to annoy the audience, indirect name-calling is
used. In this case, sarcasm is employed. Cartoons and photographs are
used in name-calling. This technique is often used in politics.
(5) Appeal to authority
Appeal to authority is a common type of fallacy, or an argument
based on unsound logic. When writers or speakers use appeal to
authority, they are claiming that something must be true because it is
believed by someone who said to be an "authority" on the subject.
Whether the person is actually an authority or not the logic is unsound.
Instead of presenting actual evidence, the argument just relies on the
credibility of the "authority."
 Appeals to authority cite prominent figures to support a position,
idea, argument, or course of action.
Insisting that a claim is true simply because a valid authority or
expert on the issue said it was true, without any other supporting
evidence offered.
Examples of Appeal to Authority:
A book argues that global warming is not actually happening, and
cites the research of one environmental scientist who has been studying
climate change for several years.
Someone argues that drinking is morally wrong and cites a
sermon from her pastor at church.
A little boy says that his friends should not go swimming in a river
because his Mama said there were germs in the river.
A commercial claims that 3 out of 4 dentists would choose this
particular brand of toothpaste for their own families to use.
My sister-in-law, who is a teacher, said that this school is not
somewhere that I would want to send my children.
(6) Appeal to prevailing discontentment
If the dissatisfaction among the people is spoken in the publicity,
then the propaganda is more successful. Political parties in our country
are seen trying to win the mind of people by spreading dissatisfaction
during the election. As opposed to rising prices and unemployment to
propagate against the governing party is best example of this technique.
Similarly, if any movement is related to the dissatisfaction of the people,
then it succeeds. Like example “Beti bachao,” “Patidar Andolan for
reservation” in Gujarat.
(7) The influence of slogans
Slogans are widely used in the field because people can easily
remember the slogan. That People who have a deep and wide impact.
Use the slogan all over the place. Use it in speeches. Put in on posters,
flyers, adverts and so on.
Keeping slogans short and simple makes them memorable, which
holds them in the mind and so perpetuates their force. Repetition
hammers them home, not only making them easier to recall but also,
when spoken by authority figures, giving them legitimacy and
requirement.
A slogan is a brief, striking phrase that may include labeling and
stereotyping. Although slogans may be enlisted to support reasoned
ideas, in practice they tend to act only as emotional appeals.
Slogans can compete with one another. Sometimes a political
contest will hinge upon who has the better slogan. A great slogan can
deliver the knockout punch, particularly if it is delivered well and with
good timing.
Slogans are used in many situations. Advertisers use them as
taglines. Politicians use them. States use them.

Q. Explain the conditions of effective propaganda (conditions for

propaganda success)

1. Introduction:
Propaganda is become success when propaganda in favor of
positive attitude among workers and discriminatory communal relations
are made in certain conditions. Various researches were shown that
some conditions must be follow for success of propaganda. B.
Kuppuswami shown three conditions of successful propaganda. That is
given below.
1. Monopolization
Monopolization occurs in the absence of mass media
counterpropaganda. It exists not only in authoritarian societies but also
in any society in which there is an absence of countering views on any
issue, value, policy, or public image.
Monopoly in all the publicity can be possible in two situations. In
dictatorships, where all the resources of the propaganda are in control
and during the war or crisis, in the democratic regime, due to
unexpected calamities, strict controls are placed on equipment
propaganda. But in some democratic regime impose restriction on
media without any crisis.in India there are radio and T.V. are under
control of government. However public have relaxation to express their
own thoughts therefor opposite propaganda also occurred and not
proper effect of propaganda. During election all parties have opposite
propagate among each other so it is not effects on public. During
election people are dividing in three parts: (a) favors (b) disfavors and (c)
neutral. Neutral have majority so favors or disfavor propaganda not
cause any effects. Favorable group give important to newspaper,
magazine, and speech as they like. Same way disfavor groups give
important as their thoughts. .
So monopolization is one of the factors in which propaganda
become more effective.

2. Canalization:
When, the process of converting people's values or attitude into the
proper direction by propaganda is called canalization. Instead of
changing the thoughts of the people radically, its change them in the
other direction and then gets success in propaganda. Mahatma Gandhiji
also propagated the change in the fundamental public morale of the
people of Hindu religion instead of propagating it in a formal direction.
Therefore, they got some success in changing the direction of people's
attitudes about widow marriage, untouchability, castism etc. In this way,
changes in the basic values of propaganda rather than change in the
values of publicity become successful.
3. Supplementation:
The third condition for the success of the campaign is the
distribution. Propaganda is become more effective if people are
contacted directly with using mass media because of it is supported to
public awareness and public movement. Direct contact with the media is
a condition of a supplementation. Local organizations have to be formed
for this. In our country Congress had formed organization like “congress
sevadal” since 1920 at rural and district level and got success in election.
In 2005 “shaktidal” the organization formed by Shankarsinh Vaghela is
one of the example is well known. Other parties had also tried to form
such organization to get success. „Bajarang dal” or “trishul sena” are the
organizations of Bhartiy Janata Party (BJP) also example of
supplementation. Thus propaganda make successful by using
supplementation.
.

Q. Describe-how to Protect against propaganda?

“The best protection against propaganda of any sort is the

recognition of it for what it is. Only hidden and undetected oratory is
really insidious. What reaches the heart without going through the mind
is likely to bounce back and put the mind out of business. Propaganda
taken in that way is like a drug you do not know you are swallowing.
The effect is mysterious; you do not know afterwards why you feel or
think the way you do.”
Major newspapers and the television and radio networks generally
provide accurate news reporting. But commentary — the source's
opinion as to what the news means — can be problematic. Some
commentary is fair and balanced. Much is partition.
It becomes propaganda when it is manipulative, close-minded and
intemperate. Propagandists don't play fair. Their news items are merely
tools selected for their usefulness in promoting the perspective. They
exaggerate favorable evidence and ignore evidence to the contrary. If
you think a propagandist consistently "tells it like it is," you have been
propagandized.
Even more troublesome are "pied pipers" — charismatic
propagandists who commandeer the thinking of their followers by
making questionable enticements along the lines of: "We are right and
good and they are wrong and dangerous" and "We are the real
Americans." Pied pipers like to be seen as beacons of truth and decency.
They make politics a matter of good versus evil. Insecure people —
those who feel powerless, who are worried about the future — are more
in need of the comfort provided by a pied piper or other propagandist
and are more likely to think "if it comforts me, it is true; and I don't care
about evidence to the contrary." Their minds are there for the taking.
To avoid being propagandized:
■ Be open-minded. Much can be learned from those who disagree with
you.
■ Be realistic. Those comforting voices may be misleading you.
■ Be careful which commentary sources you use. Non-partisan sources
are the most helpful. If you use partisan sources, try to balance them —
conservative and liberal,