Propaganda in the contemporary world: international, legal, and political perspectives

Abstract

In this thesis we aim at exploring various forms and aspects of propaganda in the current international environment and their legal and political implications regarding governance and social impact. The complexity of the modern globalized international stage gave rise to new and sophisticated forms and mechanisms of propaganda. This study will include the definition and types of propaganda, while considering various actors deploying different means of propaganda, including state and other institutions, either in psychological warfare or in peacetime operations, both at national or international and global level, including examples from international relations. We will particularly focus on the role of authoritative states, employing propaganda to establish power, advance their causes or undermine democratic institutions on a global scale. We will also consider the emergence of propaganda from private groups promoting aggressive, reactionary, conspiratorial or even terrorist agendas, especially through digital means and social media, their societal impact, and the underlying associations to state-generated disinformation. Legal implications, within the context of international law, as well as prospective means to curb the impact of malicious propaganda will also be suggested.