Propaganda and the Seed of the Militainment:

Everyone propagates sometimes. When we want something from our Parents or when we
are in a Job interview and really need this job. Or looking at elections and campaigns or
demonstrations against political decisions. Propaganda per se is ubiquitous and is
manifested in our every doing. Thus it can not be ultimately described as good or bad,
though its often seen as a bad thing. But what exactly is propaganda?

The philosopher Jason Stanley defines it as “a kind of communication that makes a case for
a goal, bypassing reason.” And that “it‘s a method to urge you to mobilise toward
something while concealing from you things, that you reasonably […] should consider.” 1

Because of this propaganda was and is a popular tool in war. It is used by politicians and the
military to keep the civilians motivated and encouraged, but also to self portray themselves
as good and proficient while drawing an adverse picture of the enemy. So propaganda does
not aim at informing you, but quite the opposite to persuade you, by using selective choice
of words, omission of information, simple exaggerations and many more methods and
techniques to convince and encourage the audience.

Looking at the past, at the time of the second world war, it can be observed how Hollywood
was then integrated into this framework of manipulation. When Walt Disney’s empire of
animations stand at the cliff of bankrupting and the only way to get out was to plant the
seed of what is now called the “Military-Enterainment-Complex” 2.

This expressed oneself in an encouraging short film of Donald Duck learning the importance
of paying taxes in times of war: “Taxes to beat to earth the evil destroyer [the Nazis] of
freedom and peace. […] Taxes will keep democracy on the march.” 3 In addition it not only
encourages to pay taxes, but also shows the public a specific enemy to put the blame on.
Another propagating short film of Disney was about Donald Duck having a bad dream. In
this dream Donald Duck lives a day as a worker in a arms factory of Nazis, which is equated
with slavery, due to the hard work 4 . Thus Hitler and his followers are demonised and
presented as enemy, or rather the evil it self.

1
What is Propaganda| Jason Stanley | Explain It Like I‘m Smart by Big Think: youtube.com
2
The propaganda films that saved Walt Disney’s cartoon empire: qz.com
1
Though the second world war was ended and the Nazis got defeated, the liaison between
the Department of Defense and Hollywood was no matter of the history books. In fact the
connection got even tighter. The

3
Donald Duck – The Spirit of ’43: Walt Disney Production 1943
4
Donald Duck – Der Fuehrer’s Face: Walt Disney Productions 1943
2