Public Opinion

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.