The article contrasts a philosopher’s hunt for a clean definition of 'propaganda' with a sociological view that studies what propaganda does in mass democracies. It argues the latter—via Lippmann’s stereotypes, Bernays’ 'engineering consent,' and Ellul’s ambivalence—better explains modern opinion‑shaping systems.
— Centering function clarifies today’s misinformation battles by focusing on how communication infrastructures steer behavior, not just on whether messages meet a dictionary test.
el gato malo
2025.11.30
92% relevant
This essay reframes contemporary influence as a functional system—operations that shape behavior and perceptions rather than discrete 'falsehoods'—which mirrors the existing idea’s call to study what propaganda does (tools, effects, infrastructure) rather than look for a neat definition.
Isegoria
2025.11.29
62% relevant
The article documents rumors functioning as social explanations and meaning‑making around a secret state project; this matches the existing idea's emphasis on studying what communicative phenomena do (their social function) rather than debating narrow definitions of 'propaganda.' The Los Alamos anecdotes show rumor performing the sociopolitical role that the 'propaganda as function' idea highlights.
2025.10.07
100% relevant
McKenna’s synthesis of Lippmann, Bernays, and Ellul and his claim that definitions often smuggle in sociological assumptions.