Russi Marinov – Propaganda and Rhetoric – Traditions and Modernity

Abstract:This article discusses the relationship between propaganda and rhetoric, focusing on some basic theories and researches on the problem, outlining some similarities and differences between the two practices.  We present the principles  of propaganda and rhetoric and  applications in the some forms of art, particularly in the films, created in  order propaganda and promotion of a certain  types of culture andbehavior. This study explores the model known as the „narrative paradigm”, where humans are essential  storytellers, their decisions are based on  „good reasons” which vary in form among situations and media, and rational behavior depends on the nature of the story. Most clearly the relationship betweenpropaganda and  rhetoric is seen in political speech. The survey shows that most of thearguments in a political speech have propaganda effect and their  purpose is deception and delusion on reality. Involvement in  action, captivating the audience of the speech are nothing more  than skillfully distributed propaganda. The propaganda system  continuously feeds the audience with mythological stories with forms ready for an action. We analyse also the popular rhetorical techniques andpropagandaapproaches, sometimes very close to each other,  that an external observer hardly can find any differences.

Key words: propaganda, effects, control analysis, narrative paradigm, political speech, technology, audience.

Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 7, January 2013,  http://rhetoric.bg/, ISSN 1314-4464

 

Read the original of the article (in Bulgarian)