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

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