What is the true purpose of crappy propaganda?

Propaganda, which guides citizens to specific ideas and actions, can sometimes sound absurd. Rob Henderson, a psychology researcher at the University of Cambridge, explains the true purpose of such absurd propaganda.

The True Purpose of Propaganda --Rob Henderson's Newsletter
https://robkhenderson.substack.com/p/the-true-purpose-of-propaganda

Propaganda is a discourse that governments and rulers spread to guide citizens to specific ideas and actions, sometimes disseminating information that is not true. According to Heifen Huang, a political science researcher at Merced University in California, many citizens who receive propaganda are aware that propaganda is crappy information. For example, the information reported in the news program ' Xinwen Lianbo ' of China Central Television (China's state-run broadcasting station), which is broadcast daily in China from 19:00, is 'a mockery among citizens,' fans said. He points out (PDF file) .

In a situation where many citizens are aware that the content of the press is erratic, it seems that the propaganda purpose of 'inducing the citizens to specific ideas and actions' cannot be achieved. However, Mr. Huang said that the situation that 'China's state-run broadcasting station continues to broadcast news programs at the same time every day' has led to showing the power of the Chinese Communist Party to the citizens, propaganda. He argues that his purpose is not only to guide the thoughts and actions of citizens, but also to show the power of the government and rulers.

By showing citizens the magnitude of the power of the government and rulers, it is possible to discourage anti-government behavior even if the citizens realize that 'government discourse is crap.' In addition, the government can define 'government-approved information' by transmitting information and exclude information that goes against it.

Political scientist Lisa Wedeen also said in a study of the discourse of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad that if the government involved citizens in a great absurdity, it would be less likely that they would oppose the government. He argues that he is more likely to follow the administration. In other words, it is possible to subdue citizens only by the fact that they are able to spread propaganda widely, whether or not they believe in propaganda.