Public Diplomacy as a Tool of Propaganda

Introduction

It would not be wrong to say that the history of the efforts made to influence and determine the thoughts of people and to shape them in the desired direction by guiding their movements in this way is as old as the history of humanity. Efforts in this direction have changed over time in parallel with the development of language and writing, and have gained new dimensions with the development of communication techniques and technologies. The activities based on motivation, manipulation and persuasion, which have been implemented with the aim of mass directing the society and channeling it towards the determined direction, have revealed the whole activity called propaganda.

Propaganda, which aims to influence the society to believe and act in a certain way in line with predetermined objectives, has been a form of practice that has been used extensively in the social and political field throughout history. Many ideologies have gained prevalence as a result of effective propaganda activities and have been able to walk to power. From Caesar to Napoleon, from Lenin to Hitler, many leaders went down in history as master propagandists, and they dragged the masses after them with their powerful and effective propaganda.

The power of propaganda to influence the masses and to direct them to the desired thought and action has become possible with various methods and techniques applied within this scope. These methods and techniques, the majority of which are based on mass psychology, can also include unethical practices such as exaggeration, lies, and distortions when necessary. In order for the propaganda to have the expected effect on society, all kinds of tools could be used within the conditions and possibilities of the period. All kinds of communication media and media can be mobilized for propaganda, from an effective language and oratory to written and printed means, from audio and visual communication tools to new communication technologies.

Certain aspects of propaganda practices, which have been the most effective way to influence societies in long historical processes, have been a source of inspiration in many areas such as public diplomacy, political campaigns, advertising, public relations and marketing in modern times.