Introduction

Propaganda is often identified as an essential ingredient of warfare. The general view is that propagandistic imagery and messages are effective devices in transforming popular perceptions and attitudes towards a particular war. The assumption is that no matter how unpopular conflict might initially be, effective and well orchestrated propaganda is capable of altering such views and making the war effort plausible and even popular. When one thinks of war propaganda it is Goebbels's fiery speeches, the Nazi Party's use of torchlight parades, brass bands, massed choirs and other propagandistic techniques that quickly spring to mind. War propaganda is often seen as a powerful motivating force able to persuade young men (and more recently young women too) into volunteering to fight and die for their country, ethno-national group, religious creed or ideological doctrine.

However, as with all social phenomena, the workings of war propaganda are much more complex than that. The central argument of this chapter is that rather than being an omnipotent force able, with relative ease, to sway millions of people to change their perceptions of reality, war propaganda is predominantly a mechanism for society-wide self-justification. In other words, instead of having the capacity to dramatically convert public opinion and actions, most propaganda serves as a cognitive, moral and legitimising map utilised by those who already subscribe to the values espoused by the propaganda. The chapter also contests the alleged inherent connections between propaganda and soldiers' motivation on the front line.