Edward L. Bernays
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Public-relations counsel and author of Propaganda (1928) · United States
7 quotes, oldest first. Filter with other speakers.
“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.”
Opening sentences of the book's first chapter. Bernays, a public-relations counsel, was writing for a general readership about organised persuasion in American public life.
Edward L. Bernays, Propaganda (New York: Horace Liveright, 1928), chapter 1, "Organizing Chaos", opening Source
“We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of.”
Follows directly after the invisible-government sentences in chapter 1. The next sentence in the book calls this a logical result of how a democratic society is organised.
Edward L. Bernays, Propaganda (New York: Horace Liveright, 1928), chapter 1, "Organizing Chaos" Source
“Propaganda is the executive arm of the invisible government.”
From chapter 2, after Bernays argues that large-scale cooperation in politics, finance, education and other fields is done with the help of propaganda.
Edward L. Bernays, Propaganda (New York: Horace Liveright, 1928), chapter 2, "The New Propaganda" Source
“Modern propaganda is a consistent, enduring effort to create or shape events to influence the relations of the public to an enterprise, idea or group.”
Bernays's own definition, offered in chapter 2 after several examples of organised publicity.
Edward L. Bernays, Propaganda (New York: Horace Liveright, 1928), chapter 2, "The New Propaganda" Source
“in its sum total it is regimenting the public mind every bit as much as an army regiments the bodies of its soldiers.”
From chapter 2, describing continuous, universal publicity. The sentence begins mid-passage; the antecedent of "it" is the propaganda described in the preceding sentences.
Edward L. Bernays, Propaganda (New York: Horace Liveright, 1928), chapter 2, "The New Propaganda" Source
“But clearly it is the intelligent minorities which need to make use of propaganda continuously and systematically. In the active proselytizing minorities in whom selfish interests and public interests coincide lie the progress and development of America. Only through the active energy of the intelligent few can the public at large become aware of and act upon new ideas.”
Closing passage of chapter 2, where Bernays argues that organised minorities, not the public at large, drive social change.
Edward L. Bernays, Propaganda (New York: Horace Liveright, 1928), chapter 2, "The New Propaganda" Source
“If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, is it not possible to control and regiment the masses according to our will without their knowing it?”
From chapter 4, tracing how group psychology came to be applied to publicity. Bernays answers the question in the following sentences: practice has shown it is possible "at least up to a certain point and within certain limits."
Edward L. Bernays, Propaganda (New York: Horace Liveright, 1928), chapter 4, "The Psychology of Public Relations" Source