Chapter 14 - Facts
The Two Faces of Persuasion
As a policy instrument, persuasion has two faces: Persuasion as enlightenment,
or persuasion as indoctrination.
The rational ideal offers reason as the basis of policy making → remains the
core value of democracy
Indoctrination: has two elements that distinguish it from educating: (a) it is
intentionally manipulative and (b) it robs people of their capacity to think
independently.
Making Facts in the Polis
The rational ideal proposes that there exist natural facts. → but facts are not
independent of interpretive lenses.
‘to name is to take a stand’
Challenges to the Informed Citizen
We are as much influenced by the source of the information as by its content. →
subject to extremely strong influences by social groups.
paradoxically, individuals often support policies that contradict their values, their
views of government, and their material sef-interest.
Information Disclosure as a Policy Instrument
Providing citizens with more accurate information from authoritative sources can
actually harden their ideologicaaly motivated views. → against democratic ideal.
Indoctrination in the Polis: Business’s Power to Persuade
Political scientist define indoctrination as pursuasive efforts that:
1. Are carried out by a single, central government authority
2. are intentionally manipulative
3. are designed to secure the interests of the indoctrinator
4. Deprive citizens of their capacity to make independent, reasoned decisions.
Business has three main powers regarding indoctrination:
Chapter 14 - Facts 1
The Two Faces of Persuasion
As a policy instrument, persuasion has two faces: Persuasion as enlightenment,
or persuasion as indoctrination.
The rational ideal offers reason as the basis of policy making → remains the
core value of democracy
Indoctrination: has two elements that distinguish it from educating: (a) it is
intentionally manipulative and (b) it robs people of their capacity to think
independently.
Making Facts in the Polis
The rational ideal proposes that there exist natural facts. → but facts are not
independent of interpretive lenses.
‘to name is to take a stand’
Challenges to the Informed Citizen
We are as much influenced by the source of the information as by its content. →
subject to extremely strong influences by social groups.
paradoxically, individuals often support policies that contradict their values, their
views of government, and their material sef-interest.
Information Disclosure as a Policy Instrument
Providing citizens with more accurate information from authoritative sources can
actually harden their ideologicaaly motivated views. → against democratic ideal.
Indoctrination in the Polis: Business’s Power to Persuade
Political scientist define indoctrination as pursuasive efforts that:
1. Are carried out by a single, central government authority
2. are intentionally manipulative
3. are designed to secure the interests of the indoctrinator
4. Deprive citizens of their capacity to make independent, reasoned decisions.
Business has three main powers regarding indoctrination:
Chapter 14 - Facts 1
