Propaganda (Main Trends of the Modern World S.) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0333617576 ISBN 13: 9780333617571

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 1994

Synopsis

This volume traces the origins, ethos, and workings of modern propaganda, which now permeates all institutions in our society. Essays by scholars such as Hans Speier, C. Wright Mills, and Walter Lippmann explore the social and institutional groundwork of modern propaganda. The book then examines the axial age of propaganda, from the Great War through the Cold War, focusing on key propaganda organizations, such as the Committee on Public Information, the Nazi propaganda machine, and the group of Hollywood directors that produced propaganda films for the armed services during the Second World War. This section also details the wizardry of the master propagandist, Joseph Goebbels. Finally, the volume examines the ubiquity of propaganda in contemporary society, with essays on bureaucratic propaganda, advertising, public relations, and politics and language.

About this title

Review

" is a clearly written and accessible book. It raises theoretical issues and offers colorful and descriptive analysis of each leader without getting lost in the minutiae... I find their explanation for the success of these evangelical innovators convincing and especially applicable to the present state of American culture and evangelicalism specifically. makes a descriptive contribution to the supply-side/religious economies perspective on the success of religion in America."-Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion,

"What I cannot help but wonder is whether and how this archetype [that of successful evangelical leaders in America] is applicable to other religions in America, or to successful brands of Christianity outside of the United States. In this sense, the book's methodology and theoretical positioning is potentially groundbreaking in the broader field of religious studies. While it is recommended to the interested and informed general reader, and to students of Christianity and of contemporary religion in America, the book's theoretical strength makes it a valuable read for students and scholars of contemporary popular religion more widely."-Journal of Religion and Culture,

"The value of the book lies in its descriptive detail of five mega-church leaders, giving the reader a feel for the broader evangelical landscape and offering numerous textual references along the way. Given its brevity and accessible narrative style, this book would make excellent reading for an undergraduate introduction to American evangelical religion. Students will be impressed with the tremendous influence of these evangelical 'superstars' and the book will pique interest in the study and critique of American religion. Additionally, scholars will appreciate the very helpful bibliographic essay that neatly documents the steady growth of research in the theory of religious economy, which essentially began with Peter Berger's (1967)."-Studies in Religion / Sciences Religieuses,

"[P]rovides useful background about popular religious figures whose names may be familiar but whose ministries are often misunderstood, especially in the academic study of religion. The text complicates popular notions of evangelicalism as it tries to account for evangelicalism's broad appeal."-Pneuma,

"These evangelical innovators are household names, thanks in large part to their multimedia know-how, but they preach a conservative message--often regarded as antiquated. Most important, their ministries supply existential fulfillment to existential demands. This book (especially the bibliographic essay "Theory of Religious Economy") will most appeal to scholars and students. However, curious readers will enjoy it as well. Highly recommended."
-"Library Journal",

Synopsis

Tracing the origin, ethos and workings of modern propaganda, this book contains essays, by scholars such as Hans Speier, C. Wright Mills and Walter Lippmann, exploring the social and institutional groundwork of modern propaganda. It then examines the axial age of propaganda, from World War I through the Cold War, focusing on key propaganda organizations, such as the Committee on Public Information, the Nazi propaganda machine and the group of Hollywood directors that produced propaganda films for the armed services during World War II. This section also details the wizardry of the master propagandist, Joseph Goebbels. Finally the volume examines the ubiquity of propaganda in contemporary society, with essays on bureaucratic propaganda, advertising, public relations and politics and language.

Edition details

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0333617576
• ISBN 13: 9780333617571
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 449
• Editor: Jackall Robert