conscious and intelligent manipulation

the conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ...we are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. this is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. in almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons...who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. it is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.

edward bernays propoganda, 1928

the greatest of crimes

"All modern ethical writers regard unjust war as not only immoral, but as one of the greatest of crimes—murder on a large scale. Such are all wars of mere ambition, engaged in for the purpose of extending regal power or national sovereignty; wars of plunder, carried on from mercenary motives; wars of propagandism, undertaken for the unrighteous end of compelling men to adopt certain religious or political opinions, whether from the alleged motives of "introducing a more orthodox religion," or of "extending the area of freedom." Such wars are held in just abhorrence by all moral and religious people: and this is believed to be the settled conviction of the great mass of our own citizens."

Henry Halleck, Major General (Union Army) Elements of Military Art and Science, 1862