At the turn of the 19th century and early 20th century, people all over the world were demanding the rights given to them in theory on old documents, be put into practice. There was unprecedented activity in unions, unemployment collectives, and civil rights organizations. All of them demanding a voice in the government. Edward Bernays realized the “problem of Democracy” early on:
The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organised 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 have been under this type of conscious manipulation of society since the time of Edward Bernays. Today, Fran from Mango Press joins us to discuss propaganda and Democracy.
Show Notes
:00 - Intro
3:43 - When a non-war is a war for PR purpose
8:20 - Edward Bernays and WW1 propaganda
11:34 - Bernays creating first PR firm
13:34 - Cleaning up the politicians
17:09 - Big Tobacco and Psychoanalysis
22:26 - Controlling with PR
24:23 - Birth of the Department Store
25:31 - PR in WW2
26:30 - PRing Guatemala into a Coup
45:16 - The Regime Change Playbook
48:09 - Protecting the Order of Things
50:53 - Inventing Reality
53:15 - Inventing Reality in Ukraine
1:02:00 - Goodbyes
Extras:
Watch my lecture on Real Progressives about our responsibility on Propaganda
Check out Mangopress on their telegram and their website
Torches of Freedom with Fran from Mango Press