George C. Marshall, Center for Security Studies
Interconnected Social Media Digital Rendering, Betterthanpaper
Stewardship America
Modern Propaganda:
The adaption of propaganda in the digital age
Nazi propaganda tactics are still being used, but are altered to fit the modern world. In the digital age, communication travels at an exponentially faster rate than it did in the 1930's. Images and memes on the internet may seem harmless, but are often used to gain support for political campaigns or stereotype racial and ethnic groups.
George C. Marshall, Center for Security Studies
Interconnected Social Media Digital Rendering, Betterthanpaper
Stewardship America
Following Propaganda Through Modern Politics
President George W. Bush (2001-2009)
Bush's Iraqi War Propaganda
"The invasion of Iraq was justified to the American people by a sophisticated propaganda campaign that reflected a think tank's vision for a new foreign policy...Qualitative content analysis of news materials suggests that the news sources and media shared a logic and perspective about "timely and entertaining news." The PNAC plan was not publicized by the major news media because it fell outside the focus of the Bush administration's propaganda campaign to demonize Iraq and its leader Saddam Hussein, who was held to be responsible for attacks on the United States."(JSTOR)
President George W. Bush, White House
Saddam Hussein Propaganda, iwm.org
President Barack Obama (2009-2017)
Obama used propaganda in his speech and word choice.
"The persuasive appeal of logos is used more than pathos and ethos in Obama's political propaganda. This is evident in the following percentages:60%, 20%, 20% respectively.In his propaganda Obama seeks the truth of what he delivers rather than the imaginative use of language. This is indicated through the infrequence of the use of metaphor, that is amounted to 40%."(Prof. Dr. Riyadh Tariq Kadhim Al- Ameedi)
President Barack Obama, Pablo Martinez Mosivais
President Barack Obama, Shepard Fairey
President Donald J. Trump (2017-2021)
Trump used repetition of simplistic phrases such as "Build a wall" or "Make America Great Again". The former President also used news networks, such as Fox, and social media to spread propaganda.
"The Fox audience 'wants pro-Trump propaganda. It does not want news,' Stelter said. The hosts are competing to see who 'can be the Trumpian of them all. They have become Trumpier and Trumpier ever single year.'"(The National Press Club)
Donald J. Trump, 2020, Ad Tracker
Donald J. Trump Twitter Feed, 2020, Twitter
Ways to protect yourself from propaganda
-Use logic to make rational, informed decisions
-Do not act on impulse or emotion
-Take time away from technological devices to think for yourself
-Remember that prolonged exposure or repetition is not an excuse for complacency and does not make an idea any more right
To prevent propaganda from becoming dangerous, the world must learn from Nazi Germany. The primary determination of a sovreign nations susceptibility to propaganda is their level of education on the topic. This is why it is vital that the public is educated about the methods of Nazi propaganda and acknowledge that this tactical communication still exists today.