INTERNATIONALE PROPAGANDA IN RECENTE DECENNIA

In: Internationale spectator, Band 13, Heft 21, S. 591-612

Abstract

International propaganda is the aspect of the cold war which has been most frequently attacked. It has taken the form, since the end of WWII, of an attempt by the major powers to demonstrate the merits of their respective institutions. After a pause during 1946-1947, this propaganda was resumed with increasing intensity. One of the first situations in which it was decisive was during the Italian elections of 1948. International propaganda has merely developed since that time. It is an official instrument of action of the nation in time of peace. This is not a new function. George Kennan has described the need for this weapon, & Walter Lippman has analyzed many of its aspects. The first systematic use of this technique can be traced to the `war of nerves' of Hitler. This propaganda has many variants & notably, we may cite `cultural influence' whose origins are very ancient. War propaganda plays an essential role & has its own peculiar characteristics, depending esp on a distortion of news. Abusive international propaganda was condemned at one of the first sessions of the UN. Tr by J. A. Broussard from IPSA.