Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes

Front Cover
Vintage Books, 1973 - Political Science - 320 pages
2 Reviews
From one of the greatest French philosophers of the 20th century, comes a seminal study and critique of propaganda. Taking not only a psychological approach, but a sociological approach as well, Ellul's book outlines the taxonomy for propaganda, and ultimately, it's destructive nature towards democracy. Drawing from his own experiences fighting for the French resistance against the Vichy regime, Ellul offers a unique insight into the propaganda machine.

"A far more frightening work than any of the nightmare novels of George Orwell. With the logic which is the great instrument of French thought, Ellul] explores and attempts to prove the thesis that propaganda, whether its ends are demonstrably good or bad, is not only destructive to democracy, it is perhaps the most serious threat to humanity operating in the modern world."--Los Angeles

"The theme of Propaganda is quite simply . . . that when our new technology encompasses any culture or society, the result is propaganda . . . Ellul has made many splendid contributions in this book."--Book Week

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LibraryThing Review

User Review  - jaygheiser - LibraryThing

Although I take issue with some of the details, this book, written 40 years ago by a French legal scholar, resonates with me, and explains much of what I have observed. Concept of horizontal vs. vertical propaganda, or 'social' propaganda. Read full review

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - NoirLibrarian - LibraryThing

Ellul, a French philosopher, sociologist, and theologian, disputes the notion that propaganda is “the work of a few evil men, seducers of the people, cheats and authoritarian rulers who want to ... Read full review

Contents

CHAPTER 1The Characteristics of Propaganda
3
INTERNAL CHARACTERISTICS
33
CATEGORIES OF PROPAGANDA
61
Copyright

15 other sections not shown

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Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes
Jacques Ellul
Snippet view - 1965
Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes
Jacques Ellul
Snippet view - 1973
Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes
Jacques Ellul
Snippet view - 1965

Common terms and phrases

accept according action active actually agitation already American attitudes become believe called campaign certain collective communication Communist completely concerned considered conviction countries course create decisions demands democracy democratic direct economic effect elements enemy entire established example exist experience express face fact feeling Finally follow force French ganda give given hand ideas ideology important individual influence integration intense interest judgment leads less limited live longer mass means methods myth never objective obtain organization participation party political possible precisely present problem produce progress propa propaganda propagandist psychological public opinion question radio reach reality reasons regard regime relations response result sense simple situation social society sociological Soviet stereotypes structure subjected success thought tion true truth Union United values wants

About the author (1973)

Jacques Ellul was a French philosopher and Christian anarchist. He served as professor of history and the sociology of institutions on the Faculty of Law and Economic Sciences at the University of Bordeaux for many years. Although he was trained as a sociologist, Ellul is considered a philosopher with a particular interest in technology and the possibility of technological tyranny. He is said to have coined the phrase "Think globally, act locally." Among his books are Propaganda, The Political Illusion, The Theological Foundation of Law, The Meaning of the City, and many others. Jacques Ellul passed away in 1994 at the age of 82.

Bibliographic information

QR code for Propaganda
TitlePropaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes
Volume 874 of A Vintage Book
Vintage political science and social criticism
AuthorJacques Ellul
Translated byKonrad Kellen, Jean Lerner
ContributorKonrad Kellen
Editionillustrated, reprint
PublisherVintage Books, 1973
Original fromPennsylvania State University
Digitized17 Jul 2009
ISBN0394718747, 9780394718743
Length320 pages
Subjects › 

POLITICAL SCIENCE / Propaganda
PSYCHOLOGY / Reference
Political Science / General
SOCIAL SCIENCE / Media Studies
  
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