PROPAGANDA and Libertarianism

“These are unusual times” is a statement I hear often. What makes them unusual is the Internet- the most disruptive invention ever created by mankind. It has put propaganda on steroids.

Propaganda is an instrument of collectivism.

It’s easier to rule millions of people if they all believe in one “truth”. That is the goal of leaders who seek to brainwash and control the masses. 

Critical thinking is the enemy of collectivists.

Our schools are funded and directed by collectivists. Their labour is also corralled into “groupthink” by required union membership. Unions enjoy media-supported “collectivist” political action (note: most corporate journalists are members of Unifor, Canada’s largest union). Our youth receive lessons of indoctrination in the classroom and are discouraged for questioning the orthodoxy (ie critical thinking).

Propaganda has always been part of societies.

Religions were among the earliest forms of propaganda. While doing some good, they discouraged “heresy” - any independent thinking that strayed outside their boundaries of prescribed dogma.

Many modern “religions” are of a secular nature - Climate Change zealots, worshippers of Science, nationalism, etc. The repeated messaging of those secular “faiths” have same mindworm impacts on the consciousness of many as the metaphysical religions of the past.

Freedom groups are growing.

In some circles, to be “awake” means to be aware and wary of modern propaganda. Its opposite, to be “woke”, is to be captured by the intended purpose of the state’s propaganda.  The trend is that more people, who may have been privately experiencing a growing distrust in “the institutions of authority”, are now seeking and finding communities of like-minded individuals. Their shared challenge is to find a back door through which to escape state-imposed collectivism.

In defence of Critical Thinking.

My trust in the principles and values of Libertarianism is my personal stand against collectivism and my shield against its propaganda.

I find the collectivists fingerprints on too much of our media landscape today. Language has shape-shifted. What not passes for terms like democracy, honesty, integrity, fairness, responsibility, loyalty and truth is now a landscape of misinformation, confusion and cause for invective-laden debate.  

I could ignore the many sources of propaganda but I can’t resist witnessing its viral path of social destruction. It’s affect on our citizenry is fascinating - like watching a slow motion train wreck. 

Propaganda gradually builds the excuses for war.

The Israel vs Palestine and Ukraine vs Russia wars are fuelled by national propaganda each pitting their socio-economic, cultural and ideological differences against the other in the most extreme partisanship possible. These differences are deeply rooted in the history and beliefs of their peoples. Their leaders claim to champion and defend those differences on behalf of their people. The global media accentuates their differences in sensational ways adding fuel to smouldering fires of divisive political and public rhetoric. The stakes grow and the messages deepen their hold on national pride.

War is fought in many ways in the modern era. Cyber warfare is a 21st century phenomenon. “Lawfare“ is the last form of war that has been independently since the Covid era began. It seems today that some form of aggression can be found under each stone that you intentionally or inadvertently overturn.

Different standards

One of my friends has expressed criticism about how business is conducted in the Middle East, Africa, Russia and the Far East. She applies the ethical and moral values of her Canadian upbringing as her basis for judgement and seems unable to appreciate the very different cultural underpinnings that influence all business transactions in those foreign nations. Her Life Lens has been tinted my a lifetime of Canadian “propaganda” and it’s institutions of moral and ethical “groupthink”.

Canadians will recall a few years ago when SNC Lavalin was under attack for failing to conduct business in foreign nations according to Canadian standards of ethics.  I conducted business in Brazil, Mexico, the USA and France between 2009 and 2018 as the Ditector of Talent Supply Chain for the international division of a Montreal-based Canadian consulting firm. I was constantly amazed by about how unique each country is in its customs and business practices. My employer and I really learned the meaning of the phrase: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”.

Do onto others …

People are unique - every one of us. One of Life’s greatest challenge is to appreciate and respect those differences, and try not to unnecessarily step on each others toes as we navigate our own paths in life.

“Live and let live” is a good rule to live by.