Reply #8: neoliberal propaganda tactics

[dumpster_baby]

from the website of the progressive think tank linked by the article:
http://www.commonwealinstitute.org/thereis.html



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How has the right been so successful? Research shows that over the past quarter-century a well-funded, tightly coordinated ideological movement has come to dominate our country's marketplace of ideas. Their deeply ideological movement – with its well-funded advocacy think tanks and aggressive communications strategy – has increasingly set the public agenda, shifting national and local politics consistently to the right and away from the broader public interest. This movement has undermined society's understanding of the legitimate role of government and the need for balance between community, individual and corporate responsibilities.


It sounds like many voices, but it is really only a few. Imagine: There is an important issue in the news, and you look for information. You read an op-ed piece written by a "policy analyst" from some "institute." The next day, a columnist writes something similar, quoting "conservative scholars." You read a magazine article with a similar message, citing yet more experts. That night, you watch the news on TV and the commentators are expressing opinions that are beginning to sound awfully familiar. A politician’s speech becomes hard to distinguish from the rants of the radio talk-show host. A much-discussed book and a highly trafficked website echo the same themes, in similar language.

* "The media & academia are liberal."
* "Public schools are failing."
* "Social Security is going broke."
* "Increasing wages costs jobs."
* "Environmentalists care more about trees than jobs."
* "Regulations hurt business."

These are just some of the messages that the right-wing movement has spent vast amounts of time and money drumming into the public mind. After the public has been primed by the repetition of these messages, their politicians can step in and harvest the results. As more and more people are persuaded of the existence of these "problems," the "solutions" offered by right-wing politicians become increasingly appealing.

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