Propaganda and the Public Mind

1. Propaganda Shapes Public Perception

In Propaganda and the Public Mind, we have unique insight into Noam Chomsky’s decades of penetrating analyses...drawn together in one slender volume by a brilliant radio interviewer, David Barsamian.

Media and elites. The media and intellectual elites play a crucial role in shaping public understanding, often serving the interests of power. This is achieved through selective reporting, framing of issues, and suppressing information that challenges dominant narratives. The goal is to manufacture consent and keep the public as "spectators of action," not participants.

Worthy vs. unworthy victims. A key mechanism of propaganda is distinguishing between "worthy" and "unworthy" victims. Atrocities committed by official enemies receive extensive, graphic coverage, demanding justice and intervention. Crimes committed by the U.S. or its allies are downplayed, ignored, or reframed as mistakes or unfortunate accidents, with little demand for accountability.

Controlling the narrative. The focus is often shifted away from systemic issues or the actions of powerful states towards less significant or manufactured controversies. This diversion prevents the public from focusing on issues that truly impact their lives and could lead to challenges to the existing power structure.

2. Power Concentrates in a State-Corporate Nexus

The point of the MAI is to put up a barrier behind the design and implementation of policy that people will not be able to penetrate.

Corporate influence. Power in modern societies is heavily concentrated in a state-corporate nexus, where government policy is deeply intertwined with and often dictated by corporate interests. This is evident in trade negotiations, economic policies, and even foreign policy decisions.

"Domestic constituencies". Political leaders are often remarkably frank, albeit usually in private or obscure statements, about who their true "domestic constituencies" are. These are not the general public or elected representatives, but rather the powerful corporate sectors and lobbying organizations whose interests are prioritized in policy formulation.

Technocratic insulation. This nexus seeks "technocratic insulation," a World Bank phrase, meaning that policy decisions should be made by experts insulated from public scrutiny or interference. This ensures that policies serve the interests of the powerful without democratic accountability.

3. "Humanitarian Intervention" Often Masks Self-Interest

When you look at the historical record honestly, it’s extremely hard to find any examples of use of military force undertaken for genuine humanitarian aims.

Historical pretexts. Historically, military interventions are almost always justified with humanitarian rhetoric, even when the true motives are strategic or economic. Examining past cases, such as those cited by Sean Murphy (Japanese invasion of Manchuria, Mussolini in Ethiopia, Hitler in Sudetenland), reveals how humanitarian claims accompany actions serving state interests.

Selective concern. The application of "humanitarian intervention" is highly selective, focusing intensely on the alleged crimes of official enemies while ignoring or facilitating far worse atrocities committed by allies. The stark contrast between the response to Kosovo and East Timor illustrates this, where U.S./NATO actions and responsibility were downplayed in the latter case despite a far greater scale of killing relative to population.

Consequences often ignored. The actual humanitarian consequences of interventions are often disregarded or spun to fit the narrative. Bombing campaigns, sanctions, and support for brutal regimes are framed as necessary actions, even when they lead to massive suffering and death, particularly among vulnerable populations.

4. International Law is Applied Selectively

The U.N. Charter is very clear and explicit. It says that either the threat or use of force is illegitimate unless it is self-defense against armed attack.

Disregard for law. Powerful states, particularly the U.S., routinely disregard international law and the UN Charter when it conflicts with their perceived interests. This is not hidden but often openly flaunted, as seen in justifications for bombing campaigns or the refusal to accept the jurisdiction of the World Court.

"Hostile forum". International bodies like the UN or the World Court are deemed "hostile forums" and irrelevant when they do not align with U.S. policy. Their authority is only acknowledged when it serves to legitimize actions already decided upon by the powerful states.

Double standards. While demanding that other countries adhere strictly to international norms and Security Council resolutions, the U.S. and its allies act with impunity. This creates a system of double standards where law applies to the weak but not to the strong, further undermining global order and trust.

5. Economic Policies Exacerbate Inequality

The top 1 percent of the population of the world now probably has about the income of roughly the bottom 60 percent.

Corporate-led globalization. The current form of globalization, driven by corporate interests and implemented through agreements like the WTO and IMF programs, has led to unprecedented levels of global inequality. Wealth is increasingly concentrated at the top, while the majority of the world's population faces stagnant or declining living standards.

"Reforms" and austerity. Policies labeled as "reforms," such as structural adjustment programs and financial liberalization, are often imposed on poorer countries, leading to devastating consequences. These policies prioritize debt repayment (often "odious debt" incurred by dictatorships) and opening markets over human welfare, resulting in increased poverty, reduced social spending, and economic instability.

Market failures and risk socialization. Financial markets are inherently volatile and prone to crises, yet liberalization has increased their power. The risks of speculative capital flows and bad loans are socialized, transferred to taxpayers and the general population through bailouts and austerity, while profits remain privatized.

6. Domestic Issues Reflect Elite Control

The idea that people should not have access to health care in the richest country in the world is so outrageous you don’t know how to talk about it.

Manufactured crises. Domestic issues like Social Security, public education, and healthcare are often framed as being in "crisis" to justify policies that benefit the wealthy and powerful. This narrative is pushed through extensive propaganda campaigns, turning complex issues into simple problems requiring specific, often regressive, "fixes."

Undermining social solidarity. Policies like privatizing Social Security or underfunding public education are designed to dismantle systems based on social solidarity – the idea that society cares for its members. They shift risk and responsibility onto individuals, which is advantageous for the rich but detrimental to the majority.

Regressive outcomes. Proposed "reforms" for these systems consistently have regressive outcomes. Raising retirement ages, changing benefit calculations, or promoting private alternatives disproportionately harm the poor, working class, women, and minorities, while benefiting wealthier individuals and corporations.

7. Skepticism and Simple Questions are Key Tools

The first thing is to be very skeptical.

Questioning the obvious. To understand the world, one must cultivate skepticism and be willing to ask simple, obvious questions that challenge conventional wisdom and official narratives. Often, the most revealing insights come from noticing what is not being said or discussed.

Following the evidence. Instead of accepting pronouncements from authority, one should follow the evidence and logic wherever they lead. This involves examining historical records, comparing different accounts, and looking at the consequences of policies, even when they contradict preferred beliefs.

Identifying power dynamics. A fundamental question to ask is: How is power distributed, and how do policies and information reflect this distribution? Starting with the null hypothesis that policies serve the interests of the powerful often provides a surprisingly accurate framework for understanding events.

8. Grassroots Activism Can Achieve Victories

Despite that, grassroots activism was able to stop it.

Power of organized people. Despite facing overwhelming power from corporations, governments, and media, organized grassroots activism can achieve significant victories. The defeat of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) and the strong public opposition to Fast Track trade authority are dramatic examples.

Broad coalitions. Success often comes from building broad coalitions of diverse groups and constituencies, both domestically and internationally. Bringing together labor, environmentalists, students, indigenous groups, and others around shared concerns amplifies their collective power.

Education and organizing. These victories are not spontaneous but are the result of sustained, long-term efforts in education and organizing. Raising public awareness and mobilizing people to act are crucial steps in challenging concentrated power and influencing policy.

9. Intellectuals Often Serve Power

The intellectual class is supposed to be so well trained and so well indoctrinated that they don’t need a whip.

Architects of doctrine. Intellectuals, particularly those within elite institutions and mainstream media, often function as architects and disseminators of the dominant ideology. They are rewarded for conforming to acceptable narratives and penalized for challenging them, creating a system of self-censorship.

Selective praise and condemnation. Public intellectuals acceptable to the mainstream are those who uphold the preferred values and narratives, often praising state actions with high-flown rhetoric. Dissident intellectuals, even those with distinguished records, are often marginalized, vilified, or ignored, regardless of the accuracy of their analysis.

Ignoring inconvenient truths. The role of intellectuals often involves ignoring or downplaying inconvenient truths, such as the crimes of their own state or the devastating consequences of policies they support. This selective focus reinforces the "worthy/unworthy" framework and protects the self-image of the powerful.

10. Language is Used to Obscure Reality

They are mere words, and words can be molded until they clothe ideas in disguise.

Orwellian terminology. Language is a powerful tool used by those in power to shape perception and obscure reality. Orwellian terminology, where words mean the opposite of their actual content (e.g., "pacification" for violence, "freedom to farm" for increased subsidies), is routinely employed to make harmful policies sound benign or even beneficial.

Controlling the narrative. The deliberate choice of language in official statements and media reporting serves to frame issues in ways that favor elite interests. Renaming controversial programs or policies is a common tactic to evade criticism and maintain public support or indifference.

Manufacturing consent. This manipulation of language is a conscious strategy, informed by public relations techniques and polling, to regiment the public mind. By crafting phrases that elicit positive responses, policymakers can present the same policies in ways that are palatable or even appealing to the public.

11. Solidarity is Essential for Progress

Any decent human existence is going to be based on sympathy, solidarity, and mutual support.

Foundation of a decent society. Solidarity, mutual aid, and sympathy are core values for progressive human thought and essential for a decent society. These values stand in direct opposition to the cult of competition and rugged individualism promoted by systems of domination.

Overcoming oppression. Oppression is often internalized, with people accepting their subordinate role as legitimate. Liberating the mind from these imposed preconceptions and fostering a sense of shared struggle and mutual support is a crucial step towards overcoming oppression.

Collective action. People can achieve things together that they cannot achieve alone. Unions, community organizations, and activist groups provide spaces for collective learning, mutual encouragement, and coordinated action, which are vital for challenging power and creating social change.

12. Technology Presents Both Opportunities and Threats

The Internet is a tremendous tool for information, understanding, organizing, and communication.

Tool for liberation. Technologies like the Internet offer significant opportunities for information access, communication, and organizing, enabling people to bypass traditional gatekeepers and connect with others globally. This was evident in its use by dissidents and activists in various movements.

Tool for control. However, these technologies also present threats, particularly as they are increasingly controlled by large corporations. The concentration of ownership and the drive for profit can lead to efforts to restrict access, direct users towards commercial content, and undermine the use of technology for democratic or oppositional purposes.

Privacy and manipulation. The collection of vast amounts of data on individuals and the potential for targeted manipulation through technology raise serious concerns about privacy and autonomy. The commercialization of the internet risks turning it primarily into a tool for marketing and control rather than a space for free information and interaction.

Last updated: May 2, 2025