“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country.”
And we’re off and running through the world of Propaganda, the how-to manual for the manufacture of consent by Edward Bernays. Since American voters were unable to think for themselves, the nephew of Sigmund Freud asserted, political parties were necessary to narrow down choices to a handful of candidates.
Small wonder the Founders were wary of a mass democracy and the sways of public opinion. “An informed citizenry can be trusted with its government.” Thomas Jefferson. “A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.” James Madison.
In his excellent introduction, Mark Crispin Miller details how propaganda was used to mold support for America’s entry into WW1. Once the war was over, the public wised up to the ruse and angrily repudiated the Wilson administration. Propaganda was a dirty word throughout the 20’s and 30’s.
Regrettably, our modern day campaigns have become a testament to Bernays’s expertise. Talking heads on television yak on about a candidate’s charisma, wardrobe, and “thrilling life story.” The marketplace of ideas has given way to fundraisers, photo-ops and two-bit slogans. Revisionist history has transformed Woodrow Wilson from schmuck to hero while voters blindly follow The Party like sheep.
Lessons unlearned are lessons lost.
Deadly Angel author Andrew Cofrin
