Bernays and Lippmann Readings

Bernays article was very easily read. He definitely took on a more persuasive stand point rather than coercive. Bernays writes, "Public opinion is slow and reactionary, and does not accept new ideas." He then states that in order to persuade the public you must study "the psychology of public persuasion." I think that that is a great way to prepare to persuade. You must first study the audience, who it will affect, and who will be listening. Also you must find the most effective way to address the audience. Bernays states that through this, you will "present new problems for study and consideration to the public, and leaves it free to approve or reject them." This line allows readers to realize that Bernays is not attempting to coerce audiences, rather he is attempting to persuade by reaching the audience through their interests, in order to shine light on other ideas or even new ones.

I found Lippmann's article to take on a much more different role than Bernays. After reading the article, I did need feel that Lippmann gave such clear focused ideas like Bernays did, but I feel that I came away from the article with a better understanding of how naive much of the public is to the government and the decisions made for our country. I felt that Lippmann was trying to show readers that the government is very coercive, and while we are voting citizens, many of us do not utilize that important right. While the government coerce's us into believing we have a large say in the present and future of our country, we really don't.