Open AccessMass Consciousness Manipulation in Modern Authoritarian Systems: Theoretical Foundations and Models
Author(s) -
Maksim V. Yakovlev
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
obŝestvo: politika, èkonomika, pravo
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2223-6392
pISSN - 2071-9701
DOI - 10.24158/pep.2020.10.2
Subject(s) - authoritarianism , consciousness , elitism , sociology , arbitrariness , population , perception , power (physics) , social psychology , psychology , epistemology , democracy , law , political science , politics , philosophy , physics , demography , quantum mechanics , neuroscience
The present study summarizes empirical data on current authoritarian practices of mass conscious-ness management through the conceptual prism of the positions of А. Giddens, E. Fromm and Н. Schil-ler. It is concluded that the key aspects of a com-prehensive view of their relevant and effective im-plementation are the theses about the exploitation of sado-masochistic tendencies in masses; about the creation and dissemination of myths that distort the perception of reality and value based orienta-tions of the public; widespread surveillance and control using machine intelligence; instilling fear; use of force. In this regard, the most popular con-ceptual model of mass consciousness manipulation among modern autocrats includes the following: keeping the majority of the population in poverty, at a low cultural level and in a state of some kind of dependence; instilling in the majority ideas about their own insignificance and helplessness; openly demonstrating super-incomes and permissiveness of power holders; expanding the use of technical and technological means to monitor citizens; police arbitrariness; establishing control over the Internet.