The Role of Propaganda in Modern Society

https://doi.org/10.35912/jahidik.v4i1.4633
Published: Jul 15, 2024

Abstract:

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the historical development, theoretical foundation, and modern application of the propaganda system as a key mechanism for shaping public opinion, guiding social development, and ensuring societal cohesion in the 21st century.

Methodology: This research employs a qualitative approach through literature-based analysis. Key theoretical perspectives from prominent scholars such as Harold Lasswell, Walter Lippmann, and John Dewey are reviewed to understand the evolution of propaganda theories and their relevance to modern societal dynamics.

Results: The findings show that the propaganda system has evolved from a basic tool of communication into a complex and structured mechanism for managing public opinion. In modern society, propaganda plays a crucial role in influencing the public’s perception of sociopolitical reforms, promoting shared values, addressing social problems, and mobilizing collective action. Institutions across the political, economic, and cultural sectors actively rely on propaganda to secure support and foster public engagement.

Conclusions: The study concludes that propaganda, when used responsibly, functions as a powerful force for social unity, value dissemination, and problem-solving. As societies face ongoing challenges, such as crises and conflicts, the significance of propaganda in shaping collective consciousness and guiding public behavior remains indispensable.

Limitations: This study is limited to theoretical and literature-based discourse without empirical data or case studies to support claims. It does not assess the ethical dilemmas or manipulative potential of propaganda in authoritarian contexts.

Contributions: This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of propaganda’s societal functions by connecting classical theories with modern implementations. This highlights how propaganda, when aligned with democratic and humanistic values, can be an effective tool for social development, cohesion, and reform.

Keywords:
1. Modern Propaganda Systems
2. Propaganda system
3. Propaganda Tools
4. Social Significance Of Propaganda
Authors:
Rustamov Ramz Rizokulovich
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How to Cite
Rizokulovich , R. R. . (2024). The Role of Propaganda in Modern Society. Jurnal Humaniora Dan Ilmu Pendidikan, 4(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.35912/jahidik.v4i1.4633
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Vol. 4 No. 1 (2024): Juli
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  1. Angkustsiri, K. (2023). Mind Over Media: Propaganda Education for a Digital Age: LWW.
  2. Broockman, D. E., & Kalla, J. L. (2024). Selective exposure and echo chambers in partisan television consumption: Evidence from linked viewership, administrative, and survey data. American Journal of Political Science. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/ajps.12886
  3. Farca?, A. D. (2024). Social values and propaganda: theoretical perspectives of key concepts. Revue internationale Animation, territoires et pratiques socioculturelles, (25), 1-14.
  4. Gavrilets, S., & Richerson, P. J. (2022). Authority matters: propaganda and the coevolution of behaviour and attitudes. Evolutionary Human Sciences, 4, e51. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/ehs.2022.48
  5. Guriev, S., & Treisman, D. (2015). How modern dictators survive: Cooptation, censorship, propaganda, and repression.
  6. Hartmann, D., Wang, S. M., Pohlmann, L., & Berendt, B. (2025). A systematic review of echo chamber research: comparative analysis of conceptualizations, operationalizations, and varying outcomes. Journal of Computational Social Science, 8(2), 52. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s42001-025-00381-z
  7. Howard, P., Lin, F., & Tuzov, V. (2023). Computational propaganda: Concepts, methods, and challenges. Communication and the Public, 8(2), 47-53. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/20570473231185996
  8. Johnson, B. K., Neo, R. L., Heijnen, M. E., Smits, L., & van Veen, C. (2020). Issues, involvement, and influence: Effects of selective exposure and sharing on polarization and participation. Computers in Human Behavior, 104, 106155. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.09.031
  9. Khaneghahi, S., Pudineh, A., & Zehi, M. A. M. (2022). Investigating the effect of intellectual computer games on creative thinking skills and increasing concentration in children of divorce. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 2(4), 283-293.
  10. Le, T. L., & Block, E. (2024). When communist propaganda meets western public relations: Examining Vietnam’s government pandemic communication. Public Relations Inquiry, 13(1), 33-67.
  11. Nazki, S. H. (2024). Indigenous traditions and the impact of war: An analysis of N. Scott Momaday’s House Made of Dawn. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 5(1), 61-72.
  12. Pansanella, V., Sîrbu, A., Kertesz, J., & Rossetti, G. (2023). Mass media impact on opinion evolution in biased digital environments: a bounded confidence model. Scientific reports, 13(1), 14600. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39725-y
  13. Pote, M. (2024). Computational Propaganda Theory and Bot Detection System: Critical Literature Review. arXiv preprint arXiv:2404.05240. doi:https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2404.05240
  14. Rabb, N., Cowen, L., & de Ruiter, J. P. (2023). Investigating the effect of selective exposure, audience fragmentation, and echo-chambers on polarization in dynamic media ecosystems. Applied Network Science, 8(1), 78. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s41109-023-00601-3
  15. Ribeiro, N., Schmidt, A., Nicholas, S., Kruglikova, O., & Du Pont, K. (2019). World War I and the emergence of modern propaganda. The handbook of European communication history, 97-113.
  16. Rustamov, R. R., & Elboyeva, S. B. r. (2020). The Evolution Of The System Of Spiritual Propaganda. Theoretical & Applied Science(10), 218-221. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.15863/TAS
  17. Shao, C., Ciampaglia, G. L., Varol, O., Yang, K.-C., Flammini, A., & Menczer, F. (2018). The spread of low-credibility content by social bots. Nature Communications, 9(1), 4787. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06930-7
  18. Stella, M., Ferrara, E., & De Domenico, M. (2018). Bots increase exposure to negative and inflammatory content in online social systems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(49), 12435-12440. doi:https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1802.07292
  19. Wilde, G. (2024). From Panic to Policy: The Limits of Foreign Propaganda and the Foundations of an Effective Response. Texas National Security Review, 2. doi:https://doi.org/10.26153/tsw/52238
  20. Woolley, S. C. (2022). Digital propaganda: The power of influencers. Journal of Democracy, 33(3), 115-129.
  21. Karepova, S. G., Nekrasov, S. V., & Pinchuk, A. N. (2020). Propaganda as a Method of Influencing Public Consciousness: General Theoretical Aspect. Bulletin of NSUEM(4), 212-229. doi:10.34020/2073-6495-2020-4-212-229
  22. Patrakhina, T. N., & Shlamova, D. A. (2015). Propaganda: the Essence of Scientific Definition, Approaches to Classification. Young Scientist(4), 303-305.