According to Oxford Dictionary, Propaganda is a modern Latin
word meaning to spread or to propagate, thus propaganda means that which is to
be propagated. It is used primarily to influence the target audience and
intended to create an impact.
Propaganda is also an instrument of Foreign Policy. It can
be used by states for the following reasons:
1. To influence a group of people to charge their
governments as puppets or oppressors.
2. Divide a society within a state for the benefits and
national interest of another state.
3. Split up allies.
4. Promoting own ideology in a third state against ideology
of an enemy state.
5. Giving the label of 'terrorist' to a group of people or
'terrorist states' to states.
The techniques used for propaganda is name calling,
glittering generality, plain folks, testimonial, bandwagon, selection of facts,
scapegoats and fear.
Most states use propaganda to make home population feel the
enemy has inflicted an injustice and involving in a war is the right choice.
War is a catastrophe and disaster for both sides. The winner state might win a
territory, increase sphere of influence, access to resources or install a
friendly government but its own economy is going to suffer and precious lives
are going to be lost. Similar propaganda is used to justify arms race and trade
wars which can cause wars.
According to "Letter from Noam Chomsky" to Covert
Action Quarterly, quoting Alex Carey, Australian social scientist, "The
20th century has been characterized by three developments of great political
importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the
growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against
democracy."
