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Political Propaganda Techniques
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Logical Fallacies
These are deliberate or unintentional reasoning mistakes that manipulate logical argumentation. For example, ad hominem attacks that focus on an opponent's character rather than the issue at hand. Many political debates include such fallacies.
Plain Folks
This technique tries to convince the audience that the propagandist’s positions reflect the common sense of the people. It's exemplified by politicians eating at local diners or wearing hard hats to seem relatable to everyday citizens.
Scapegoating
Assigning blame to an individual or group for problems that they may not be responsible for. Historically, it is seen in political rhetoric that targets minority groups or foreign nations as the cause of social or economic woes.
Glittering Generalities
This technique uses vague, sweeping statements (often slogans or simple catchphrases) that appeal to emotions but are ambiguous enough to mean different things to different people. For example, political campaigns using words like 'freedom' and 'honor' without providing specifics.
Transfer
This involves projecting positive or negative qualities (praise or blame) of one person, entity, object, or value onto another to make the latter more acceptable or to discredit it. For example, linking a political candidate to a beloved or hated figure from the past.
Lesser of Two Evils
This technique tries to convince us of an idea or proposal by presenting it as the least offensive option. For instance, during political elections where a candidate presents themselves as a more acceptable or lesser risk than the opponent.
Black-and-White Fallacy
This involves presenting only two choices to the public, simplifying the situation to the extreme and ignoring any middle ground. An historical example is in political speeches that divide issues into 'with us or against us' categories.
Name Calling
The use of derogatory language or words that carry a negative connotation when describing an enemy or opponent. Historical examples include political campaigners criticizing opponents using unflattering nicknames or labels.
Cult of Personality
This is when a political leader uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods to create an idealized and heroic image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise. A historical example is the portrayal of dictators like Mao Zedong or Joseph Stalin during their respective reigns.
Fear
The use of fear to influence the opinions and actions of others towards some specific end. Historically, wartime propaganda has often used this technique to rally citizens by heightening the perception of threat, like Cold War-era 'Red Scare' propaganda.
Appeal to Authority
This technique involves citing prominent figures to support a position, idea, argument, or course of action. For example, quoting past presidents or notable figures when trying to validate current political viewpoints.
Appeal to Fear
Similar to the Fear card, this is when a person attempts to create support for an idea by attempting to increase fear towards an alternative. The anti-communist campaigns during the Cold War are classic examples of this technique.
Card Stacking
This technique involves only presenting information that is positive to an idea or proposal and omitting information contrary to it. Historical examples include the selective presentation of statistics and facts in political speeches.
Euphemism
The use of a mild or less negative word or phrase instead of a harsh or blunt one. Historically, euphemisms have been used in wartime propaganda to soften the reality of combat (e.g., 'collateral damage' for civilian casualties).
Bandwagon
This technique involves encouraging people to think or act in some way simply because other people are doing so. An historical example is during elections when showing large crowds supporting a candidate to give the impression of widespread support.
Testimonial
A propaganda technique where an endorsement from a celebrity or respected person is used to sway public opinion. Historically, it has been used in political campaigns where popular figures endorse a candidate or a policy.
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