Propaganda Piece: Difference between revisions
(The Ministry of Truth is a Propaganda Machine - this trope page is meant for any works they would have produced, as in posters, books, etc. That said, I need to expound on the Doctor Steel example to clarify that better...) |
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[[File:Garfaganda.jpeg|link=Garfield|300px|right|thumb|To deny me lasagna is to deny yourself freedom.]] |
[[File:Garfaganda.jpeg|link=Garfield|300px|right|thumb|To deny me lasagna is to deny yourself freedom.]] |
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Propaganda is generally defined as the communication of ideas, information, and rumors for the purpose of influencing opinions in support for or against a particular cause through emotional appeals; |
Propaganda is generally defined as the communication of ideas, information, and rumors for the purpose of influencing opinions in support for or against a particular cause through emotional appeals; '''Propaganda Pieces''' (or just 'propaganda') are works produced through this method and commonly employed for this purpose. |
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In short, [[Memetic Mutation|it's that thing you're not immune to.]] |
In short, [[Memetic Mutation|it's that thing you're not immune to.]] |
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The Propaganda Piece can be |
The Propaganda Piece can be thought of as a [[Invoked Trope|deliberate]] [[Author Tract]], which naturally means a lot of overlap between the tropes. Author Tracts are distinct in that they tend to be more personal to the creator in question, and can often be an unintended result of their choice in themes and/or their ability (or inability) to effectively communicate those themes and ideas, though it can also be very much intentional if said ideas are close to or part of their beliefs. Conversely, the Propaganda Piece is ''usually'' far less ambiguous (if at all) about its purpose as such, and is often the result of an effort to garner support for an organization or institution; those that create and/or commission the propaganda themselves are often [[Propaganda Machine]]s. |
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The concept of propaganda is [[Older Than Feudalism]], with examples dating as far back as around 515 BCE; the term itself is [[Older Than Steam]], and was derived in 1622 from a then-new administrative body of the Catholic Church called the "Congregatio de Propaganda Fide" (Congregation for Propagating the Faith), which was focused on "propagating" the Catholic faith in non-Catcholic countries. The negative connotations surfaced once it entered political lexicons in the mid-19th century. |
The concept of propaganda is [[Older Than Feudalism]], with examples dating as far back as around 515 BCE; the term itself is [[Older Than Steam]], and was derived in 1622 from a then-new administrative body of the Catholic Church called the "Congregatio de Propaganda Fide" (Congregation for Propagating the Faith), which was focused on "propagating" the Catholic faith in non-Catcholic countries. The negative connotations surfaced once it entered political lexicons in the mid-19th century. |
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Despite the unsavory and manipulative connotations associated with the term in modern times, "propaganda" is [[Tropes Are Not Bad|considered a historically neutral term]], and there's quite a difference between a regular persuasive 'argument' designed to reinforce its proponents' own beliefs and an entire work dedicated to the same; likewise, there is also a difference between a work that nakedly serves the purpose of propaganda [[Counterproductive Propaganda|at the expense of all else]] and one that is |
Despite the unsavory and manipulative connotations associated with the term in modern times, "propaganda" is [[Tropes Are Not Bad|considered a historically neutral term]], and there's quite a difference between a regular persuasive 'argument' designed to reinforce its proponents' own beliefs and an entire work dedicated to the same; likewise, there is also a difference between a work that nakedly serves the purpose of propaganda [[Counterproductive Propaganda|at the expense of all else]] and one [[Poe's Law|that is 'merely' poorly written.]] Put simply, [[What Do You Mean It's Not Political?|it's easy to finger a work as propaganda over nothing]], especially for simply [[Confirmation Bias|challenging your beliefs]], and those who make actual propaganda will naturally not be that open about their purposes. [[Author Tract|Except when]] [[Author Filibuster|they are.]] |
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In terms of [[Tropes Are Tools|serving essential functions]], many religions are naturally inclined towards spreading news of their faith |
In terms of [[Tropes Are Tools|serving essential functions]], many religions are naturally inclined towards spreading news of their faith. There is also some overlap with [[Public Service Announcement]]s, which are designed to increase public attention towards matters of health and safety - as with many a form of [[Anvilicious]] media, [[Some Anvils Need to Be Dropped]]. |
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Subtropes include: |
Subtropes include: |
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* [[What Do You Mean It's Not Political?]] and [[What Do You Mean It's Not Didactic?]]: these can occur when a work is ''thought'' to be propaganda. |
* [[What Do You Mean It's Not Political?]] and [[What Do You Mean It's Not Didactic?]]: these can occur when a work is ''thought'' to be propaganda. |
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Compare and contrast [[Anvilicious]]. Often used to [[Scare'Em Straight]]. May be a sign that [[Big Brother Is Watching]] [[Big Brother Is Employing You|or Employing You]]. See also [[Canned Orders Over Loudspeaker]], [[Patriotic Fervor]], and [[Propaganda Machine]]. |
Compare and contrast [[Anvilicious]]. Often used to [[Scare 'Em Straight]]. May be a sign that [[Big Brother Is Watching]] [[Big Brother Is Employing You|or Employing You]]. See also [[Canned Orders Over Loudspeaker]], [[Patriotic Fervor]], and [[Propaganda Machine]]. |
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{{examples}} |
{{examples}} |
Revision as of 01:50, 29 November 2020
This is a Trope Workshop page, still under consideration for creation. Help out by editing the current page, or leave a comment on the Talk page. Trope Workshop Guidelines |
Propaganda is generally defined as the communication of ideas, information, and rumors for the purpose of influencing opinions in support for or against a particular cause through emotional appeals; Propaganda Pieces (or just 'propaganda') are works produced through this method and commonly employed for this purpose.
In short, it's that thing you're not immune to.
The Propaganda Piece can be thought of as a deliberate Author Tract, which naturally means a lot of overlap between the tropes. Author Tracts are distinct in that they tend to be more personal to the creator in question, and can often be an unintended result of their choice in themes and/or their ability (or inability) to effectively communicate those themes and ideas, though it can also be very much intentional if said ideas are close to or part of their beliefs. Conversely, the Propaganda Piece is usually far less ambiguous (if at all) about its purpose as such, and is often the result of an effort to garner support for an organization or institution; those that create and/or commission the propaganda themselves are often Propaganda Machines.
The concept of propaganda is Older Than Feudalism, with examples dating as far back as around 515 BCE; the term itself is Older Than Steam, and was derived in 1622 from a then-new administrative body of the Catholic Church called the "Congregatio de Propaganda Fide" (Congregation for Propagating the Faith), which was focused on "propagating" the Catholic faith in non-Catcholic countries. The negative connotations surfaced once it entered political lexicons in the mid-19th century.
Despite the unsavory and manipulative connotations associated with the term in modern times, "propaganda" is considered a historically neutral term, and there's quite a difference between a regular persuasive 'argument' designed to reinforce its proponents' own beliefs and an entire work dedicated to the same; likewise, there is also a difference between a work that nakedly serves the purpose of propaganda at the expense of all else and one that is 'merely' poorly written. Put simply, it's easy to finger a work as propaganda over nothing, especially for simply challenging your beliefs, and those who make actual propaganda will naturally not be that open about their purposes. Except when they are.
In terms of serving essential functions, many religions are naturally inclined towards spreading news of their faith. There is also some overlap with Public Service Announcements, which are designed to increase public attention towards matters of health and safety - as with many a form of Anvilicious media, Some Anvils Need to Be Dropped.
Subtropes include:
- Attack of the Political Ad
- Counterproductive Propaganda
- Join the Army They Said
- Scare Campaign
- Wartime Cartoon
Compare:
- War Is Glorious and War Is Hell, often employed by pro/anti-war propaganda.
- The War on Straw, where the opposing position more "manufactured".
Contrast:
- Samizdat in the original sense.
- What Do You Mean It's Not Political? and What Do You Mean It's Not Didactic?: these can occur when a work is thought to be propaganda.
Compare and contrast Anvilicious. Often used to Scare 'Em Straight. May be a sign that Big Brother Is Watching or Employing You. See also Canned Orders Over Loudspeaker, Patriotic Fervor, and Propaganda Machine.
In-Universe
Advertising
Anime and Manga
Comic Books
- Block 109 has Der Ritter, a series of movies and comic books designed to promote Nazi German "hero" Ritter Germania by portraying him as a patriotic Super Soldier.
Fan Works
Film
Literature
- In The Hunger Games, the rebels employ these to turn people against the Capitol.
Live-Action TV
Music
- Doctor Steel is not only quite open about calling the propaganda he produces propaganda, he's skilled enough to get away with it, too.
New Media
Newspaper Comics
Oral Tradition, Folklore, Myths and Legends
Pinball
Podcasts
Professional Wrestling
Puppet Shows
Radio
Recorded and Stand Up Comedy
Tabletop Games
Theatre
Video Games
Visual Novels
Web Animation
Web Comics
Web Original
Western Animation
Other Media
Real Life
Advertising
Anime and Manga
Comic Books
- Captain America originated as a comic intended to rally support against the Nazis from a non-intervening America; the famous Issue #1 cover shows Cap in his iconic red-white-and-blue costume punching Adolf Hitler, andpost-WWII he would be seen fighting Communists.
- Jack Chick's infamous Chick Tracts, free comics intended to disseminate the author's radical Christian views.
- Is This Tomorrow: America Under Communism was released in 1947 to warn about communism.
Fan Works
Film
- Don't Be a Sucker has a Hungarian immigrant, who's a professor, speaks to an American man who was watching a gathering. The film was designed to warn viewers of the dangers of prejudice against ethnic and religious minorities and immigrants. The professor describes his experience living in Nazi Germany as an example of what happens if one too many fall for the propaganda.
- The short film Red Nightmare has a man named Jerry experience what the United States would be like under the Communist system. The film explains the dangers of communism, including the stripping of one's freedom.
Literature
- Uncle Tom's Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe in order to further abolitionism through showing the evils of slavery.
Live-Action TV
Music
New Media
- The page image originated from a Tumblr post made in 2018. Created by Mark Vomit, it has undergone a Memetic Mutation and spawned many variants.
Newspaper Comics
Oral Tradition, Folklore, Myths and Legends
Pinball
Podcasts
Professional Wrestling
Puppet Shows
Radio
Recorded and Stand Up Comedy
Tabletop Games
Theatre
Video Games
- Ethnic Cleansing is a notorious example of white supremacist propaganda. As one guessed, a player can choose a neo-Nazi, a Skinhead, or a Klansman to travel and kill non-whites such as Blacks, before going onto the Jews.