Library:Munitions of the Mind
| Munitions of the Mind | |
|---|---|
| Author | Philip M. Taylor |
| First published | 1990 |
| ISBN | 978-0-7190-6767-9 unverified |
| Role | Analysis |
| Domains | History Politics & Elections |
| Tactics | Propaganda Technique |
Munitions of the Mind is a 1990 book by Philip M. Taylor.
Summary
Philip M. Taylor, a historian at the University of Leeds who specialized in propaganda and international communication, first published this survey in 1990; the third edition appeared in 2003.
A long history
Taylor traces propaganda from the coins and monuments of ancient rulers, through the printing press and the religious wars of the Reformation, to the mass propaganda of the two world wars and the Cold War. Later chapters cover television, the Gulf War of 1991 and the Iraq War of 2003.
Propaganda and war
A central argument is that propaganda has always accompanied warfare and that new communication technologies repeatedly expand its reach. Taylor also argues that propaganda is not inherently evil: its ethics depend on purpose and method.
Relevance to Bullshitopedia
The book provides historical depth for many Bullshitopedia entries, showing that today's techniques have long precedents.