7.4.3 Force as a Source of Propaganda

(This is a current page, from the Patterns of Power Edition 3 book contents. An archived copy of this page is held at https://www.patternsofpower.org/edition03/743.htm)

Using military force without UN agreement, to target people in another country, is illegal under international law (5.3.6.1). It usually fails to meet the criteria of a ‘just war’ (4.3.5.5), so it can also be condemned on that basis. Civilian casualties are almost unavoidable. Such attacks can therefore easily be criticised and can be used as a basis for propaganda against the attacker, using mainstream or social media – as described earlier (6.4.2.4).

Propaganda, against illegal attacks, harms the attackers – as examined in the following sub-sections:

Leaders of a country being attacked can call for unity in the face of aggression, to stiffen people’s resistance (7.4.3.1).
It damages the reputation of the attackers and generates international pressure against them (7.4.3.2).

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