Propanal: An Overview of Early U.S. Propaganda Analysis and Its Role in Contemporary U.S. Army Doctrine
Abstract
Contemporary foreign propaganda poses an increasing risk, from peer, near-peer, and lesser adversaries alike. Despite this, the current role and purpose of propaganda analysis within Army doctrine is unclear and underdeveloped. In order to better understand its purpose, this thesis uses a qualitative method to examine the origin and evolution of propaganda analysis until its entry into U.S. Army Psychological Warfare doctrine in 1955. As propaganda analysis was often integrated into psychological warfare and intelligence activities, this thesis further examines the division of psychological warfare and intelligence organizations at the end of the War. It examines how many of these organizations conducted propaganda analysis, their relationships with one another, and how the activity was approached. As a result, this study determines that since the Army's doctrinal adoption of propaganda analysis as a distinct activity, the Army has conducted this analysis in a manner that ill-represents its historical legacy and is thus deserving of updates to its methodology, purpose, and conduct.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 18, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1157493
Entities
People
- Bryan Terrazas
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College