Media Control: The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda (Open Media Pamphlet)

Noam Chomsky’s backpocket classic on wartime propaganda and opinion control begins by asserting two models of democracy—one in which the public actively participates, and one in which the public is manipulated and controlled. According to Chomsky, "propaganda is to democracy as the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state," and the mass media is the primary vehicle for delivering propaganda in the United States. From an examination of how Woodrow Wilson’s Creel Commission "succeeded, within six months, in turning a pacifist population into a hysterical, war-mongering population," to Bush Sr.'s war on Iraq, Chomsky examines how the mass media and public relations industries have been used as propaganda to generate public support for going to war. Chomsky further touches on how the modern public relations industry has been influenced by Walter Lippmann’s theory of "spectator democracy," in which the public is seen as a "bewildered herd" that needs to be directed, not empowered; and how the public relations industry in the United States focuses on "controlling the public mind," and not on informing it. Media Control is an invaluable primer on the secret workings of disinformation in democratic societies. Part of the Open Media Pamphlet Series. While some might be tempted to write off this little volume by Chomsky as just another political screed, it rewards the reader with a quick and dirty understanding of why propaganda is necessary for the leaders of a democracy, as well as how it works. However, I was a bit disappointed that a book which purports to expose the methods of propaganda was in itself a handy little propaganda piece. I wish Chomsky had devoted a bit more time to exposing how -both- the Democrats and the Republicans used propaganda, instead of yammering on and on only about how the Republicans used it. It's understandable, however, given Chomsky's liberal sympathies. Other than Woodrow Wilson (arguably the worst president we've ever had and difficult to ignore when discussing propaganda) and a brief mention towards the end of the book, the Democrats get pretty much a free pass on this one. If you're looking for a quick introduction to the subject this book is pretty good, but there are others out there that are make better use of evidence, are more comprehensive, and are less potentially inflammatory. Chomsky begins by asserting two models of democracy--one in which the public actively participates, and one in which the public is manipulated and controlled. According to Chomsky "propaganda is to democracy what the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state," and the mass media is the primary vehicle for delivering propaganda in the United States. From an examination of how Woodrow Wilson's Creel Commission "suceeded, within six months, in turning a pacifist population into a hysterical, war-mongering population," to Bush Sr.'s war on Iraq, Chomsky examines how the mass media and public relations in Beginning with the Creel Commission, the Woodrow Wilson-appointed committee that turned isolationist America into a war-hungry machine, master political analyst Noam Chomsky traces the history of American propaganda. Part of the Open Media Pamphlet Series. Examines American Propaganda Efforts And Discusses How Both Major Political Parties Use The Falsification Of History, Suppression Of Information, And Promotion Of Meaningless Discourse To Stifle Questions About U.s. Policy. Noam Chomsky.