Goebbels' Principles of Propaganda

Leonard Doob, a Yale professor of Psychology, wrote an article summarizing “the principles which appear to underlie the propaganda plan and decisions described” in a manuscript Goebbels “ostensibly dictated” to a secretary.

While Goebbels’ powers of persuasion certainly were effective in their time, it bears asking whether we, as the human race, have learned anything from World War II and the European fascism of the early 20th century. After all, the persuasion game has never stopped. We have the same brains as 100 years ago, biologically. Has the addition of experience changed the effectiveness of any of Goebbel’s propaganda principles? That is what this series will explore.

Another factor is modern communications. The internet is often compared to the printing press in terms of its impact on communications: instant, virtually free global messaging and video. It has changed daily life for most people on Earth. How do Goebbel’s propaganda principles adapt?

We will review each pr…