In Part 1 of this series, I discussed the historical and background context for how police and their allies concoct narratives about their own failures and violence to support “reforms” that increase their size and power. In Part 2, I analyzed how the New York Times framed its coverage of the 2020 racial justice protests to cement a controversial (and wrong) premise about the causes of and solutions for police violence: that police were well-intentioned actors during the 2020 protests who made “mistakes” and “missteps” because of a lack of sufficient resources, “preparation,” “training,” and covert surveillance “intelligence” capabilities.
Jacques Ellul's work on propaganda can apply to Copaganda too, and one of the points he makes is a distinction between propaganda as ploughing and preparing the ground, and propaganda as sowing the seed. Behind the specific sowing outlined in these essays there's a broad, steady depiction through routine crime coverage and entertainment cops shows of the urban cities as the territories of Them/There: Hearts of Darkness. This ploughing is an important part of the picture: it helps the copaganda seeds take root and sprout.
Jacques Ellul's work on propaganda can apply to Copaganda too, and one of the points he makes is a distinction between propaganda as ploughing and preparing the ground, and propaganda as sowing the seed. Behind the specific sowing outlined in these essays there's a broad, steady depiction through routine crime coverage and entertainment cops shows of the urban cities as the territories of Them/There: Hearts of Darkness. This ploughing is an important part of the picture: it helps the copaganda seeds take root and sprout.
Another great contribution to your ongoing series, Alec. I always learn much from you and I am grateful for all you do.
Thank you Alec. Another informative and thought provoking article.
Just when you think things can't get anymore dystopian, they get more dystopian. I have no hope for our species.
Thank you Alec. I always wait for fresh posts by you and some other writers.