"The Fine Art of Propaganda"

An essay, "The Fine Art of Propaganda" was required reading when I was in high school. Although we didn't know it at the time, it was probably the most important reading ever assigned to us.

Written by Alfred McLang Lee and Elizabeth Bryant Lee in 1938, the essay analyzed and categorized the techniques of propaganda, which it defined as 'opinion expressed for the purpose of influencing actions of individuals or groups...'

While propaganda had been used throughout history, it had never been used so systematically as it was in Nazi Germany. The whole National Socialistic philosophy was based on the opinions of Adolf Hitler, as expressed in his book, Mein Kampf.

Hitler placed so much importance in propaganda that his cabinet included a Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, who was arguably the most important minister in Hitler's government.

What surprises me most is that, despite the thorough analysis which the Lees made of the various techniques of propaganda, many people still fall for the tricks of the propagandist.

I won't attempt to use this space to refresh your memory about the techniques of propaganda. Instead, I will recommend a website
where you can brush up.