The Persuasion of Propaganda

            Most people associate the word "propaganda" with Nazi Germany in which it was used to unify a nation by turning Adolf Hitler into a demigod, by identifying and demonizing those countries which stood in the way of Germany fulfilling its destiny, and by scapegoating Jews. The result of all that propaganda was the destruction of Europe and the death of some 50 million people, so it is not surprising that propaganda has negative connotations. It is usually used by governments to plant their ideas to shape public opinion in their favor. As Thompson states in his article while using propaganda, an intellectual, rational response is not desired and is not sought (21). Yet there are also forms of propaganda that support noble causes, such as mobilizing the nation in the face of danger, promoting equal rights for women or racial minorities, and for the sake of improved public health, to give just a few examples. Some analysts believe the most effective form of propaganda is the most honest, and that the most persuasive form of "public diplomacy" uses education and cultural exchanges to put its message across. Does that make it ethical? All forms of propaganda treat people as means rather than ends; that is, the propagandists do not consider people as individuals capable of making up their own mind. Even the best form of propaganda, I will argue, is a form of deception, a lie, and therefore propaganda can never be ethical.
             The most important reason why propaganda can never be considered as ethical is the fact that propaganda makes people use less and less of their critical thinking skills. "Propaganda is the art of persuasion- persuading others that your 'side of the story' is correct" (Trueman 28). Propaganda is inevitable and it is everywhere. Moreover, feelings that people have towards actions, words, or objects will change depending on their personal points of views.