THE ROLE OF HISTORICAL NARRATIVES IN EXTREMIST PROPAGANDA
THE ROLE OF HISTORICAL NARRATIVES IN EXTREMIST PROPAGANDA
Author(s): Alastair Reed, Jennifer DowlingSubject(s): Politics, Communication studies, Ethnohistory, Security and defense, Studies in violence and power, Nationalism Studies, Identity of Collectives
Published by: NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence
Keywords: terrorism; violent extremism; propaganda; strategic communications;
Summary/Abstract: The aim of this paper is to examine the role of historical narratives in extremist propaganda, seeking to show how and why they are used to enhance the impact of such propaganda. To that end we use the concept of the ‘competitive system of meaning’, which lies at the heart of extremist propaganda and forms their grand overarching narrative. Through the use of two constructs, in-group/outgroup identity and crisis/solution, propagandists form a cylindrically reinforcing narrative. This paper is exploratory in nature, and is envisaged as the first step in much more detailed research into the role of historical narratives in extremist propaganda. It seeks to show the importance of historical narratives to propaganda by identifying and exploring five ways in which such narratives are exploited to reinforce the extremists’ ‘competitive system of meaning’.
Journal: Defence Strategic Communications
- Issue Year: 4/2018
- Issue No: 4
- Page Range: 79-104
- Page Count: 26
- Language: English