Why does propoganda work?

It seems to work for a number of reasons including

People wish to believe the best about themselves and their country
Fear - mongering, especially about the threat to cherished values such as freedom and justice.
Presenting fears and claims that appear logical and factual.
Media management and public relations is very professional.
Managing thoughts by narrowing ranges of debate, thus minimizing widely discussed thoughts that deviate from the main agenda.


I came across this very interesting video on ' How to brainwash a nation?'

Two Grounds of Conflict

I think,probably every conflict is fought on at least two grounds: the battlefield and the minds of the people via propaganda. The “good guys” and the “bad guys” can often both be guilty of misleading their people with distortions, exaggerations, subjectivity, inaccuracy and even fabrications, in order to receive support and a sense of legitimacy.

It is really fascinating to know how public discourse is being shaped, particularly concerning issues of public policy and how facts, lies, spin, and propaganda is used to further ideologically-driven agendas, all the while couching it is in the language of reason and argumentation.

Is this ethical PR? I wonder.....