Compare and Contrast Essay on Public Diplomacy and Propaganda

Researchers have over years compared and contrasted propaganda and public diplomacy. Even with the numerous research, there are still apparent differences between the public diplomacy and propaganda depending on the complex activity that constitute the two activities and their role in international relations in the world today.

In history, we have numerous cases where different countries have used propaganda to create negative connotations. The public discourse has been influenced by this information, and this has led to a change in the public discourse. Nazi German and the Soviet Union were some of the largest users of propaganda to change the public expression (Zaharna, 86).

In America, a message is defined as propaganda depending on the source of the message rather than the content included in the message. This is also the same for public diplomacy. It is due to this that the difference between propaganda and public diplomacy has been a bone of contention for years.

Propaganda is quite different from public diplomacy. Propaganda has unique characteristics that distinguish the two. Propaganda involves the manipulation of informational and hence providing information that is not true to the public. There is a selective presentation of the argument in propaganda, leading to half-truths. This has led to influencing one side of the targeted audience. The aim of propaganda is to manipulate and not display full truths. There is a diversion of attention from the true source.

There are different types of propaganda; white propaganda is propaganda originating from a known source, black propaganda changes the name of the source and provides a different source. Grey propaganda doesnt identify the course.

Public diplomacy, on the other hand, is aimed at reaching the public that are in foreign countries. Its main connection with propaganda is that people view public diplomacy as the definition of white diploma that is aimed at influencing the opinion of the public. This is because countries can't call what they are saying as propaganda.

This, though, is not true as the goals of public diplomacy and propaganda differ greatly. Public diplomacy is aimed at ensuring those in other countries know the values of the country, the policies that are being implemented in the country. Through public diplomacy, the state can showcase the country on a positive note. This is seen as propaganda, as the country will only share information that shows the country on a positive note and this can be seen as a manipulation tactic and hence propaganda (Zaharna, 91).

Propaganda has been used as the oldest source of information for the general public. It has also developed over the years and it has been included in the information age. Technology has been included in both the propaganda and public relation in that it is being used to spread information and disseminate information. The difference though is that propaganda is used for stereotyping, scape-goating and name calling with the aim of increasing pressure of a targeted audience and hence manipulates them.

Public diplomacy is quite important in relaying information to the public in other countries so that they can familiarize with the country. Propaganda is used by politicians to spread information that is untrue and can influence the views of the public.

Work Cited

Zaharna, R S. "Mapping Out a Spectrum of Public Diplomacy Initiatives: Information and Relational Communication Frameworks." (2008).