Propaganda Old and New
Do Hitler's Principles Ring any Bells?
It has become commonplace to say that the United States is knocking on the door of fascism. I disagree. I think that we have stepped over its threshold. Many of us who study the history of fascist regimes have seen this coming for a long time, and are not at all surprised at the events that are unfolding so rapidly nearly every day. Many are still in denial. And many others applaud this nation’s descent into depravity.
Have you asked yourself how this happened?
I hope you have.
The answer is complex, but open a copy of Mein Kampf and read about Hitler’s principles for achieving political success to see part of the pattern right in front of you in black and white. Here’s a useful list of some of Hitler’s recommendations from an excellent website on Nazi propaganda.
Do they sound familiar?
Propaganda should appeal to the heart, not the intellect.
It should be understandable by the least educated members of society.
It should contain one central message, to be repeated over and over.
Pictures and drawings, even crude sketches, speak louder than words, and the fewer words the better. Simple slogans are best.
The views of the opposition should be denounced categorically, never entertained.
A big lie is more effective than several small ones. It should be repeated shamelessly. Even once exposed, it still carries a ‘force of credibility’, a lingering doubt that at least some aspect of it might still be true.
Accuse your opponents of what you yourself are doing.
Focus should be kept on fighting a single enemy; all other enemies should be linked with a single great one.
Face-to-face meetings with the public and mass rallies are the most effective ways to promote a political agenda.
A political campaign should be led by one charismatic figure with strong, inflexible convictions.
There are very many striking parallels between what is happening now and the early months and years of the Third Reich. This is not hyperbole. It is easily ascertainable fact. I will be going into detail in future postings.
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