Propaganda Today

Propaganda has increasingly become more widespread because of the advances in social media.  When ever I think of propaganda I immediately think of mudslinging advertisements for political power.  Every election, in Chicago at least, there are always those ads that put down the other opponents.  The most recent one I've seen is about Rahm Emanuel and his residency issue.  Without knowing whether or not he was living in Chicago ads were being broadcasted talking about, "Do you want a mayor that lies about his residency???"  This was a tactic that was used against him just to make the opposition stand out better.  These "rumors" whether they be true or not fuel ideas into the public to influence their choices.  It is just like brainwashing in a sense.  It uses controversial questions to influence the general public one way or another.

In the past propaganda was most commonly used during times of war to "rally the troops."  We don't see this so more.  For the war in Iraq they didn't push the public to fight in the war like they did in World War II.  Although there were no Uncle Sam posters the media made a case of why you should.  They riled up the public by instilling anger over 9/11.  However, politics still make the biggest market for propaganda.  For as long as there is voting propaganda will exist.  Also it will never completely go away.  It is a seed that is planted and when the public need something to turn to and blame, the seed will continue to grow.  For a last example, Obama's residency was once a huge controversy.  Was he born in another country?  How can he be president?  These ideas that were planted after the inauguration maybe a wall that the public can lean back on when things start to go south.  When things go down, it is human nature to turn around and blame someone or something else.