Corporate propaganda

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The concept of corporate propaganda is rooted in the deliberate employment^[1] of communication strategies by businesses to mold the public’s viewpoints and attitudes in line with their corporate objectives. This practice emerged in the 20th century, with propaganda initially perceived as a mechanism for psychological coercion. Notable individuals such as Edward Bernays played a significant role in repurposing its use within the sphere of public relations. Despite the negative associations linked to its utilization in World War I and Nazi Germany, Bernays emphasized its potential for ethical usage in shaping consumer habits and societal standards. Nonetheless, the deceptive essence of propaganda often obscures its differentiation from ethical PR practices. The influence of corporate propaganda is not confined to affecting consumer decisions; it also forms societal narratives and sways public sentiment, thereby highlighting the need for studies into its psychological workings, societal impacts, and ethical considerations. The role it plays in today’s digital era, particularly on social media platforms, is a subject of increasing exploration.

Terms definitions

1. ↑ employment. Employment, a key socioeconomic concept, signifies a worker offering their skills and labor to an employer in exchange for compensation. This association is typically characterized by a contract, stipulating the duties and anticipations of both entities. The configuration of this relationship, including the employer's degree of authority over a worker, can notably influence productivity and job contentment. Moreover, employment is regulated by numerous laws and regulations that vary across nations. These laws may oversee elements ranging from contract formats to salary norms. The quest for employment can also trigger certain societal challenges, like age bias and wage disparity. In essence, employment is a multifaceted relationship that includes elements of law, economics, and social policy. It's also worth highlighting that there are alternatives to conventional employment, such as self-employment or continuing education.

Corporate propaganda (Wikipedia)

Corporate propaganda refers to corporations or government entities that spread specific ideology in order to shape public opinion or perceptions and promote its own interests. The more well known term, propaganda, refers to the spreading of information or ideas by someone who has an interest in changing another persons thoughts or actions. Two important early developers in this field were Harold Lasswell and Edward Bernays. Some scholars refer to propaganda terms such as public relations, marketing, and advertising as Organized Persuasive Communication (OPC). Corporations must learn how to use OPC in order to successfully target and control audiences.

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