Propaganda Studies
World War I Propaganda: Harold Lasswell’s Revolutionary Study and Modern Implications
Harold Lasswell’s pioneering work “Propaganda Technique in the World War” revolutionized our understanding of mass communication during conflict. This article explores Lasswell’s research on World War I propaganda, revealing five key objectives: justifying war involvement, demonizing the enemy, maintaining victory confidence, preserving allied unity, and influencing neutral countries. It also outlines three fundamental propaganda principles: targeting specific groups, countering negative news, and careful use of deception. Lasswell’s study demonstrates how propaganda became a powerful tool in shaping public opinion and influencing historical events, laying the foundation for modern communication studies.