strategy
Controlling language
Description:
The language of popular debate is important in the shaping of politics. For example, the shift away from socialism in Western democracies may be in part attributed to a lack of public confidence in the language through which socialism is justified: terms such as "equality", "social justice", "public ownership", have lost their rhetorical appeal. Again, the word "right" (as in "right to work") has been distorted to imply not the liberty to act without harassment, but a claim which involves others actively ensuring this claim is met (no matter what "rights" they may be obliged to sacrifice in the process or duties the claimant may choose to ignore). Claim:
Systematic destruction of language in which truth can find expression and the dissemination of lies assists in the maintenance of unpopular forms of government; seizure of language is an effective step towards seizure of power. Broader:
Controlling Narrower:
Correcting language Facilitates:
Depoliticizing language Subjects:
Cybernetics → ControlLanguage → Languages
Type Classification:
D: Detailed strategies