In the annals of history of the Greek press, all methods of deceiving the people have been documented (and used). One of the simplest ways to mislead Public Opinion is the old scenario of “bread and circuses”.
The most impressive cases of deceiving the people are the ones that operate and are implemented on a national and state level.
One example outside of Greece is the infamous Aswan Dam in Egypt. In the mid 1950s Colonel Nasser took over power in Egypt (with the help of General Naguid, whom he exiled within a few months along with the dethroned King Farouk).
In order to establish his regime, Nasser promised everything to the Egyptians. Of course he was lying. When the people’s discontent became apparent, Nasser resorted to the Aswan Dam and set the goal of a vision that was in the heart and mind of every Egyptian. Everyone dreamed about how the damn would change life in the country, by providing water from the Nile to the whole of Egypt.
As time went one and the Egyptian people’s expectations were not met, Nasser began to lose the propaganda war. He soon noticed the change: the propaganda about “imperialists” and “abusers” did not speak to the heart of the Egyptians. He then revived the propaganda scenario of national populism, an essential aspect of which was the Aswan Dam.
In our time this method is being taught on an academic level. At a time when the people demand a solution for the unemployment and destitution, many leaders are brazenly cultivating spectacles and mostly lies.
Thankfully a lie has no legs. These days people are equipped with machines perfect capable of receiving audio and video and they can turn them on whenever they want to have a good laugh.
Stavros P. Psycharis
Originally published in the Saturday print edition
