Propaganda: The Basics

This concise and accessible guide makes clear the ubiquity of propaganda so that readers can understand its function in all layers of society, for both good or for ill, and ultimately use it to make their own voice heard.

Propaganda often appears as a paradoxical art: modern society is awash in propaganda and yet many deny consuming it. Using short, easy to understand examples drawn from politics, culture, and advertising from around the world, this book introduces readers to the basic theory, research, and techniques of propaganda from the American Revolution to the present day. It demystifies propaganda for the purpose of democratizing it, revealing it as a form of mass persuasion that is a necessary part of political culture and essential to promoting social movements, social reforms, political agendas, scientific ideas, and aesthetic tastes. The book emphasizes the creative aspect of propaganda while also stressing the need for critical media literacy and ethical judgment.

Filling a major gap in the literature, this book is an essential read for students of persuasion, rhetoric, communication, journalism, advertising, and public relations. It is also ideal for anyone interested in the fundamental principles and tactical forms of propaganda and those approaching the subject for the first time.

Nathan Crick is a Professor in the Department of Communication at Texas A&M University, USA. His recent books include The Routledge Handbook of Rhetoric and Power (Routledge, 2024), Rhetorical Public Speaking, 4th edition (Routledge, 2022) and The Rhetoric of Social Movements (Routledge, 2020).