Political Propaganda - an Efficient Weapon in Modern Warfare Cover Image

Политичка пропаганда – ефикасно оружје у савременом рату
Political Propaganda - an Efficient Weapon in Modern Warfare

Author(s): Radoslav Gaćinović
Subject(s): Political Theory, International relations/trade, 17th Century
Published by: Институт за политичке студије
Keywords: propaganda; war; methods; resources; rumors;

Summary/Abstract: Propaganda is a term of Latin language origin and derives from the verb “propagare” meaning “spread, widen” in Serbian language. For the term “propaganda” there is one synonym - the term “propagation” which also derives from the term “propagare”. This term, which was established in 1622, is related with a famous regulation of the Pope Gregory XV by which a leading Papal institution for spreading of Catholic faith (Congregatio de propaganda Fide) was established. If one accepts the view that propaganda is a skill and method of persuasion of human groups or individuals, then it is possible to conclude that it preceded the birth of international relations. It implies that human beings implemented propagandist moves in international relations since their beginning. Propaganda is implemented in all spheres of social life and its role is most significant in the war, because the war is a specific form of social confrontation - conflict which consists of certain military and highly concentrated level of social activities. It is a social state of affairs in which harsh conflicts with an external group (the state, the state alliance) or harsh internal conflicts end up in the form of a military conflict. The war propaganda consists of all information, idea, teachings and specialized way of persuasion with purpose of achieving certain war objectives and also with the objective of influencing thinking, mood and conduct of the people for purpose of getting direct or indirect advantage out of it.

  • Issue Year: 2011
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 149-168
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Serbian