How to Use Propaganda in a Guerrilla War
Guerrilla warfare generally arises from a small insurrection of a population using hit-and-run tactics to destabilize a controlling government. Guerrilla wars are decided by which side can maintain its moral cohesion, and wars involving moral conflict are decided by the use of propaganda, argues author John Robb in his article "Propaganda Wars." Propaganda is the dissemination of information designed to influence the civilian population and opposing troops into rallying behind your side of a conflict over your opposition's. Using propaganda in a guerrilla war begins with indoctrinating your message to your own troops and then spreading that message to the general population.
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Instructions
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Teach your guerrillas how to properly articulate your message. A guerrilla politically aware of why he is fighting can articulate his struggle to others and potentially convert them to your side. An effective guerrilla will be able to persuasively justify his actions to the civilian population.
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Train your guerrillas to spread your message as effectively as you train them to fight in armed combat. In order to maximize the results from a propaganda campaign in guerrilla warfare, your troops should be highly motivated to spread your message to as many people as possible. The more people you can convince of the righteousness of your efforts, the more support you generate in the population and the stronger your organization will become.
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Organize group discussions within your organization to raise morale and improve the unity of your guerrillas efforts. Encourage members to use social pressure on weaker members of the organization to improve their performance. Effective use of propaganda requires a unified message and a need to ensure that all members of your organization give the same level of effort in spreading your message.
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Convince the general population that you are fighting for them, and that the strength of your weapons is the strength of the people against the tyrannical ruling government. Your guerrillas should attempt to integrate themselves into the community by helping civilians find food and shelter when needed and by making themselves available to help with community projects such as the planting of crops or the building of a school or hospital.
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Distribute pamphlets, hang posters and spray paint graffiti that helps spread your message while negatively attacking your opponent. Attempt to highlight the positives of your organization without lying or making exaggerated claims about your opposition. Your organization risks losing credibility with the population if claims you have made are exposed as lies.
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References
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