Propaganda and Mass Media A Theoretical Analysis Essay Example

Propaganda and Mass Media: A Theoretical Analysis Essay The dependency between government and media is a contentious issue in contemporary times. The media, once termed the Fourth Estate due to the unique role it plays in society, is supposed to be the conscience of the First Estate, namely the government. Yet, a simple analysis of the functioning of media organizations makes obvious that its role had deviated from the purported ideal. Rather than serving the interests of the general public, the media is shown to serve vested interests of the powers that be. In this scenario, some of the predictions made by sociologists are proving to be true. For example, Structural Functionalist Theorists, such as Talcott Parsons and Robert Merton, proposed that deviation from social norms will lead to retribution and ostracizing, which would prove to be a powerful deterrent for such behavior. And in the context of the near monopoly of the mainstream media, alternative viewpoints (deviation) are suffocated through lack of financial viability or the risk of criticism. In this manner strict social control is established. (Edgley, 2000, p.23) In any critical discussion of modern geo-polity, the word ‘propaganda’ finds recurrent mention. This is nowhere truer than in discussions about the policies and actions of the world’s only superpower, the United States of America. In his book, ‘Managing Public Opinion: The Corporate Offensive’, Alex Carey says that in the United States, â€Å"great progress had been made towards the ideal of a propaganda-managed democracy, whose principal aim was to identify a rapacious business state with every cherished human value† (Pilger, 2005). If the objective of this propaganda framework is met, then notions of democracy and individual franchise will be overwhelmed by constructs of the public relations industry in the form of advertisements and business-controlled news. In essence, Alex Carey is suggesting that in the United States, the media has become subservient to the state (Pilger, 2005). Again, we see overtones of Structural Functionalist theories in Carey’s assessment. It is then natural for ‘anomie’ to set in and lead to greater dissidence to state authority. As anomie grows, society will reach a point of high conflict between the power elite and the general population. With elite media having state authority and financial resources at its disposal is more likely to quash any social uprising, leading to a consolidation of dominance and control over the population. (Goodman Goodman, 2004, p.41) We will write a custom essay sample on Propaganda and Mass Media: A Theoretical Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Propaganda and Mass Media: A Theoretical Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Propaganda and Mass Media: A Theoretical Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer A key talking point amongst the intelligentsia is the dangers posed by lack of diversity and representation in the mainstream media’s coverage. The phenomena of media concentration, which has seen greater consolidation in the last decade, give rise to production of news content that serves the interests of select media elite. This concentration of power in the hands of large media conglomerates makes it easy for them to set the political agenda on the national scale as exemplified by Rupert Murdoch’s near monopoly ownership of media space in Britain. It is no surprise then that the issues that media coverage, in general, is infested with their personal biases, prejudices and interests. The general public, made helpless by this system, is presented a narrow political agenda that holds no real significance for them (Eldridge, Kitzinger Williams, 1997, p. 27). In other words, while the media has the power to elicit a policy response from the government, the outcomes tend to benefit the media elite and ruling classes rather than people. In this sense, media can be said to serve an imperialist agenda. In this climate, only a few news stories get picked for publication/broadcast among numerous other pieces competing for the same space/time. The journalists in charge of deciding the news content are subject to personal biases, external coercions (both implicit and explicit) and other constraints that influence their decision making. For these reasons, there are only a minority of journalists who adhere to standards of objectivity and professional integrity, while the rest succumb to various pressures consciously or otherwise. This decline in journalistic ethos is seen across geo-political entities and cultures, making it a cause of concern for all (Eldridge, Kitzinger Williams, 1997, p. 28). References Eldridge, J., Kitzinger, J., Williams, K. (1997). The Mass Media and Power in Modern Britain. Oxford: Oxford University Press. The book gives a detailed presentation of the state of media in Britain. It places its analysis on several sociological theories in currency, giving the reader a comprehensive picture. The book succeeds in validating theories through factual proof. Edgley, A. (2000). The Social and Political Thought of Noam Chomsky. London: Routledge. The book is very relevant to discussion on media and propaganda, because it is dedicated exclusively to the social and political thought of Noam Chomsky – the leading social critic of our times. The book also draws heavily from Chomsky’s Propaganda Model, a thesis he first expounded in his 1980 book Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of Mass Media, co-authored with Edward Herman. Goodman, A., Goodman, D. (2004). The Exception to the Rulers: Exposing America’s War Profiteers, the Media That Love Them and the Crackdown on Our Rights. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen Unwin. The sibling team of Amy Goodman and David Goodman fill their book with many practical examples that validate expressions of anomie, social control, social stratification, etc. They also present copious evidence to the imperialist function attached to mainstream mass media. Pilger, J. (2005, April 11). From the BBC’s Capitulation to the Israeli Government, to the Rush to Eulogise a Deeply Reactionary Pope Pressure on the Media Is Leading to Insidious New State Propaganda. New Statesman, 134, 21+. John Pilger is renowned for his brave journalistic reports from places of military conflict and political chaos. He brings the same vim and vigor to this report cum analysis on contemporary media scene. The author cites recent findings by sociologists to back his arguments. Media’s role as an instrument of coercion, control and domination is persuasively illustrated.

Comparing and Contrasting Four Early Civilizations Essay Essays

Comparing and Contrasting Four Early Civilizations Essay Essays Comparing and Contrasting Four Early Civilizations Essay Paper Comparing and Contrasting Four Early Civilizations Essay Paper About all the modern civilisations of the universe can follow back their beginnings to the world’s four earliest civilisations emerged in four different parts of the universe in approximately the same clip. These four civilisations were the ancient Chinese. Indus Valley. Mesopotamian and Ancient Egyptian Civilizations. The outgrowth of these civilisations is the trademark of a new age. Though it is non yet proved that there was any interaction between these four civilisations and likely all four have been developed indigenously in their ain alone fortunes. but they posses singular similar features. One of the most outstanding similarities is the geographic location where they developed i. e. river vales. Despite these similarities they have their ain unique features non found in the others. Religion is another interesting phenomenon sing these civilisations. In the early phases of human history faith has played a polar function in developing the day-to-day life features of any civilization. This paper will compare and contrast the two eastern civilisations i. e. the Chinese and Indus Valley with their western opposite numbers i. e. the Mesopotamian and the Egyptian civilisations sing the influence of the faith in the development of the day-to-day life civilization. Chinese and Indus Valley Civilization: The Chinese civilisation developed in the Yellow river vale. The earliest of the Chinese civilizations harmonizing to the Chinese tradition are the Xia and Shang dynasties. Though there are no archaeological findings and records of the former. the latter has left a singular sum of archaeological remains through which we can cognize much better about their civilization and faith. The Shang civilization worshipped a supreme divinity called â€Å"Shang Ti† significance â€Å"Lord o the High† . This supreme God other deputies each control a natural force like Sun. Moon. air current and rain etc. Because Shang Ti non merely command human personal businesss and besides the Universe the God was termed by the ulterior â€Å"Chou† civilization as Eden. This remained the official faith of all the Chinese dynasties until the twentieth century. In order to delight the supreme God human forfeits were made. The forfeits were normally involved slaves and captives of war. The Chou male monarchs farther elevated themselves and proclaimed to move as an mediator between the Eden and the Earth. They were given the authorization of taking attention of the public assistance of the people of the Earth. This phenomenon had the greatest influence on the ulterior societal and philosophical developments in the Chinese civilization like Confucianism and Taoism. The Indus Valley Civilization is though every bit singular as the antediluvian Chinese one but without the reading of its books and Hagiographas. which is yet to be done. there are really small archaeological findings supplying sound and unambiguous inside informations about their faith. The largely found spiritual artefacts are the seals and statues of a female divinity and a bull. Fortunately both these are widespread and good known in the Mediterranean and Western Asian part. The female cult is the divinity of birthrate while the bull is the normally worshiped since the Neolithic period in assorted parts. Though there are no temples excavated from the full Indus vale country the Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro was surely used for spiritual intents. Cleanliness and bathing was an of import pattern non merely because of wellness grounds but besides because of spiritual importance. Many seals of different natural beginnings like trees particularly the pipal tree suggest that idolizing nature was besides a common pattern. which is still found and practiced in modern Hinduism. The major influence of faith on the Indus Valley people is evident in the signifier of covered drains and Great Bath and proper planning of their metropoliss. Mesopotamian and Egyptian Civilization: The Mesopotamian faith was besides polytheist in nature and their were several Gods and divinities. like Utu ( The Sun God ) . An ( God of the celestial spheres ) and Enlil ( the God of air ) etc. In Mesopotamia each metropolis has its ain God or goddess. which takes attention the public assistance of its dwellers. Each metropolis has a temple which has a tower called Ziggurat. This tower is believed to move as a connexion between the Earth and the celestial spheres. The god’s responsibility was to maintain the metropolis safe from encroachers and every immorality. On the other manus it was the peoples’ responsibility to carry through the stuff demands of their Gods. That’s why there was a tradition of fixing and functioning repasts for the Gods and goddesses. The most powerful and supreme God was Enlil ( the God of air ) . The dwellers were besides expected to offer congratulations. anthem. and forfeits for the local temples of the Gods. The people believed that maintaining the God pleased will do them prosper while if the God is angry or annoyed it will do their life miserable. That’s why the priest of the temple has the cardinal function in the city’s community. Most of the priests of the early Mesopotamian metropoliss were their several priests. The Egyptian faith is besides polytheist in nature and has several Gods. The male monarchs function is the most of import as he was believed as the boy of the God â€Å"Re† ( The Sun God ) . Like the Mesopotamian faith every metropolis has its ain God and divinity which controlled and regulated the personal businesss of the metropolis. These Gods and divinities were represented in the signifiers of animate beings. The people of the several metropoliss make offerings and forfeits to these divinities in order to delight them and achieve their approvals. These offerings were made in temples situated in every metropolis. Soon these Gods and divinities were given human properties and qualities and signifiers. Subsequently during the clip of the â€Å"New Kingdom† a three of great Gods â€Å"Osiris. Iris and Horus† was developed. But the Sun God remained supreme and the male monarch as his boy acted on his behalf as an mediator between the God and his people. Comparison: There are several singular similarities in the both the western and the eastern civilisations. The authorization of the Chinese â€Å"Chou† dynasty can be compared with the intermediary function of the Egyptian male monarch as the God of the boy. All four civilizations have polytheist religion and faith. The bull and birthrate goddess found in the Indus Valley is besides worshiped in the Egyptian and Mesopotamian faiths. Many Egyptian and Mesopotamian divinities have similar features. The most dumbfounding similarity is the worship of forces of nature. This is the most common phenomenon in the four civilisations. This shows that the early stages of spiritual development in the four parts were charming and fabulous. Urbanization is besides another great common feature of all these civilisations. In fact these are the first urbanised societies of recorded human history. Writing was invented independently in all four civilisations. therefore go forthing written records of their clip. On the other manus there are some unusually sole features of each civilisation. The Indus vale people have given great accent on cleansing and bathing. The self duty of the Chinese swayers the public assistance of their topics subsequently developed the doctrines which emphasized on demand of making a public assistance province. This is non found any where else. The temples and zikkurats of the Mesopotamia though are non that alone but the ziggurat’s usage as a nexus between the Earth and Eden is alone. Decision: All the four civilisations have left profound impacts on the faiths and civilizations of their replacements. These impacts can still be observed among the modern dwellers of these parts. Most of these dwellers are the posterities of these ancient people therefore they still bear many features of their distant yesteryear. The differences in the eastern and western civilizations are due to the differences between their parent earlier civilisations. The Greeks adopted so much from the Egyptians as while the other Middle Eastern states were influenced by the Mesopotamian civilisation. The South and South-East Asia has been influenced by the Indian and Chinese civilisations. Work Cited â€Å"Egyptian Religion† Encyclop? Defense Intelligence Agency Britannica. 2007. Reference Suite DVD 21 June. 2007. â€Å"Religion of Indus Valley Civilization† . Encyclop? Defense Intelligence Agency Britannica. 2007. Reference Suite DVD 21 June. 2007. â€Å"Religion of Mesopotamian Civilization† Encyclop? Defense Intelligence Agency Britannica. 2007. Reference Suite DVD 21 June. 2007. Sullivan. Herbert P. â€Å"A Re-Examination of the faith of the Indus Civilization† History of Religions ( 1964 ) . Vol. 4. pp. 115-125.

Information Security in Supply Chain Security Research Proposal

Information Security in Supply Chain Security - Research Proposal Example However, this ‘information security’ aspect in the supply chain security is not as greatly investigated as the other areas are. Given the fact that supply chains involve crucial information about organizations, nations as well as about individuals, it is a necessity to ensure the security of all the information. Large supply chains that include borders of different countries involve number of agencies that share information among themselves. Such a process requires a strong system that would ensure the security of information. This research proposal is an attempt to provide a guideline regarding the research that will be conducted on the information security systems that are used by the agencies like customs in various countries. The proposal includes details of research objectives, possible structure of literature review as well as the research methodology. Research Objectives The main purpose behind conducting this research is to identify and analyze the present inform ation security systems that are used by various key players in the supply chains. Furthermore, the research is also aimed at finding out the alternative security system models that may be used. There may be several aspects or parameters based on which a particular security system model can be analyzed. ... It is found that ASYCUDA (Automated System for Customs Data Acquisition) is one of those systems that are widely used by important agencies that are involved in the global supply chains. Hence, this research will aim at gathering sufficient information about this system, its usage, advantages and disadvantages. This will certainly be another main objective of the research. In addition to all these objectives, the research will also focus on identifying the requirements of changing the existing systems and having a new one that will be more efficient and effective. Hence, the following research question arise form these objectives. Is there any need of developing a new standard information security system that will be used across the world? Literature Review A preliminary study of literature reveals that supply chains have evolved in several respects over the past few decades. They have become more global than they were ever before. Today, major stakeholders in a supply chain’s security are the industry, governments and terminal operators. According to the findings of a research paper which is published by IT major IBM, key elements of the security of a supply chain include physical security, risk analysis, personnel security, information security and procedural security (Knight, 2003). As far as information security is considered it is certainly one of the most significant elements as the supply chain processes are managed by the information systems. Acknowledgement of the importance of information security must come with the acceptance of the fact that there are several problems that challenge the safety and security of information that are exchanged across the supply chains. Andrew R. Thomas has opined that one of the major problems