Step 1 of 2
Please select a membership then provide your email and desired password for your account.
First published in 1928, Edward Bernays' Propaganda (often subtitled in French as Comment manipuler l'opinion en démocratie ) remains a chillingly relevant manual for understanding modern influence. Bernays, the nephew of Sigmund Freud, is widely considered the "father of public relations" and this work serves as his unapologetic manifesto for the "engineering of consent". Core Arguments
: Drawing on Freud’s theories of the unconscious, Bernays suggests that people are driven by irrational impulses and "group minds". By targeting these hidden desires, a propagandist can elicit automatic responses from the public. Key Highlights
: Unlike modern PR which often hides its tracks, Bernays is startlingly direct about his methods, viewing the manipulation of the masses as a necessary service for "orderly life".
: He believes that because modern society is too complex for individuals to be experts on everything, they "consent" to have their choices narrowed by propaganda.
For more in-depth analysis or to purchase, you can check retailers like Amazon or Indigo. Propaganda by Edward L. Bernays | Goodreads