What is Propaganda?

'Propaganda serves more to justify ourselves than to convince others; and the more reason we have to feel guilty, the more fervent our propaganda.'

In the current century, societal, economic, and technological advancements occur rapidly, influenced by the global understanding brought about by globalization and the communication opportunities provided by technology. Consequently, this era of globalization allows people to come together on different scales, fostering interactions that can have greater impacts on human behavior than ever before. Thus, shaping human behavior emerges as one of the most crucial agenda items of our time.

 In an age where even "keeping up" with developments is challenging, exerting influence on them signifies a strong will and a form of challenge. One prominent example of this 'challenge and will' is propaganda, an activity associated with any form of communication aimed at influencing others. As an ancient social activity, propaganda is a product of continuous interaction between societal power centers, communication tools, and globalization-induced understanding.

Evolutions of Dissemination from Past to Present

Propaganda, integrated with every geography, administrative system, cultural structure, and mass communication tool in our contemporary world, has become an unavoidable reality for modern individuals. Propaganda, in its simplest definition, originates from the Latin word "propagare" meaning "to cultivate new plants by sowing seeds." Beyond this, it is used to convey and spread thoughts and ideas. Functionally, propaganda is defined as views that aim to benefit the source and propagandist, intending to keep or alter the emotions and thoughts of the community.

From these definitions, it's evident that propaganda activities extend back to ancient times. For instance, in Ancient Greece, philosophers attempting to convey their thoughts after engaging in philosophical quests or engaging in debates can be considered examples of propaganda. Similarly, in Ancient Rome during Caesar's era, official publications aimed at influencing the public or the teachings of Chinese strategist Sun Tzu are cited as historical examples of propaganda.

Its Current and Future Role

Thus, it can be said that propaganda is not a recent phenomenon but a communicative form that has evolved unidirectionally throughout human history. While communication plays a significant role in creating the message from the source to the recipient in propaganda activities, social psychology plays a crucial role in manipulating and directing the masses, preventing the questioned acceptance of the message, and eliciting desired reactions.

The fundamental principles of propaganda are based on various scientific disciplines such as psychology, psychiatry, and physiology. An example of this is seen in Friedrich Engels' use of the term "scientific socialism" to describe Marxist doctrine. Furthermore, in the 19th century, theories of certain thinkers were presented as scientific reality and instilled in the masses, with Marx in economics, Darwin in biology, Freud in psychology, and Durkheim in sociology forming the basis of materialist thought.

The primary goal of propaganda is to either mobilize the target audience in line with the propagandist's purpose or to keep them inactive. For the target audience to voluntarily conform to the received message, persuasion is essential. The process of convincing individuals or groups starts with perception. In this perception process, the target audience, which is intended to be controlled, is seen as a 'society,' possessing its own psychology and being subject to psychological actions. Thus, propaganda establishes a direct connection with social psychology, utilizes social psychology according to its objectives, creates new psychological phenomena as desired, and manufactures consent.