“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons...who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.”
― Propaganda
Who was Edward Bernays?
Edward Bernays (1891–1995) was an Austrian American pioneer in the field of public relations and propaganda, often referred to as the "father of public relations." A nephew of Sigmund Freud, Bernays applied psychoanalytic ideas to influence public opinion and mass behavior. After working for the U.S. Committee on Public Information during World War I, he turned his attention to peacetime applications of propaganda, coining the term "public relations counsel" to describe his role.
His landmark books Crystallizing Public Opinion (1923) and Propaganda (1928) laid the foundation for modern PR practices. Bernays was instrumental in major campaigns, such as promoting cigarette smoking among women and boosting bacon sales with the "hearty breakfast" idea. His work, though controversial, profoundly shaped the way corporations, governments, and media interact with the public.
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