Scare Tactics

[Vyacheslav Brolotov]

Hello all comrades,

I am aware of the fact that this video would be more appropriate under chit-chat, but let me assure you that both the topic of this video and the conversation I expect to follow the viewing of this video are very political.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmGfzt-6i5w&feature=g-logo&context=G2da0973FOAAAAAAAMAA

First of all, let it all out. You can laugh, you can cry, you can vomit. I don't care. Personally, I found it pathetic that any political failure such as Herman Cain would be so desperate as to create such shitty propaganda and then try to present it as legitimate. Yet, that issue is an issue that concerns capitalist politics, something we tend to be independent of. The question we as revolutionary leftists should asking ourselves is how leftist propaganda, post-revolutionary or revolutionary, should adapt to the modern world. We all know of the Bolshevik posters, Marxist-Leninist million workers May Day parades:), Trotskyist newspapers, and anarchist grassroots marches, but how would propaganda, that is propaganda that is meant to awaken class consiousness in the working class in a revolutionary or post-revolutionary society, be used with new mediums such as the internet and new trends such as widespread television ownership. Talk about your specific tendency and remember to talk within the context of propaganda during a revolution or after a revolution. Ideas can range from statues of workers (old school) to . . . I don't really know what else other than the old school stuff.

Also, do not forget to talk about scare tactics and also feel free to talk all you want about current capitalist propaganda.

I am also looking forward to some analysis of this specific excuse of a political video.

Thank you.

P.S. Stupid Youtube feature only works when I preview the post, so I just added the link.

[Drosophila]

I've always thought of "scare tactics" as demoralizing and detrimental. Propaganda can be useful, but shouldn't border on the comical.

[Vyacheslav Brolotov]

To everyone: let me say that in my opinion, the use of scare tactics, fear mongering, discrimination, or demagogy constitutes the lowest and most useless form of propaganda possible.

[Prometeo liberado]

I don't know about all this being moral or right, whatever those words mean, but it does aim for the most reactionary of peoples emotions. Precisely what it aims to do. You only beat people like this with superior actions and ideas.

[OHumanista]

Well, we have come a long way in term of communications since say...the times of the USSR. Capitalist propaganda is ingrained into every single aspect of socity nowadays be it discreet or blatant in it's purpose. TV shows, soap operas...pretty much everything usually shows consumerism (for example) as not only widespread acceptable but as an ideal way of life.

Therefore I think the biggest question would be: How far are we willing to go?

Scare tactics should of course be avoided, but I think we can easily do without them if we learn to use the resources at hand effectively.

We have the internet, where regular sites, forums, blogs, social networks are all viable and efficient ways to spread ideas nowadays. Dedicated people online in these and willing to debate and answer questions can and do have an impact if they are eloquent and patient. I know some individuals and groups which do a superb work on the net.

TV is a lot more restrict area which would probably only be used extensively on a post-revolutionary society. We do however have the option of indie movies and channels which from time to time when well made and announced can be useful. Again the internet opens even more options on that sense. (online channels for example)

Art and entertainment. Books, paintings, games...Choose your favorite. Again some of these options cost quite a bit of money. But once again there are minor alternatives. Online publishing for example can become a much cheaper and possibly effective way of spreading books around, making it free and accessible. (a la marxists.org along with many others, also appliable for newspapers)

On the streets the old tactics are still the best I think. Supporting popular movements and protests (with goals aligned with ours). Pamphleting in a simple and accessible language. (one of my main disagreements with a number of self-proclaimed communist organisations) and etc.

In the end it ultimately boils down to the following:
1) Current world and national situation
2) Dedication
3) Time (either the propagandist must do that professionaly or he/she is limited to spare time between work and his/hers often needed rest)
4) Money (to a) to produce it or b) pay people to work specifically on that)
5) The group in question
6) Accessibility
7) Professionalism, talent and creativity (the skills of the one doing it)

[Althusser]

Scare tactics were viciously used in the U.S. to get the people to support the wars. The powers that be had an opportunity to inflate the defense budget and line their pockets by showing us a non-existent link between Iraq and Al-qaeda.