Propaganda, marketing, or public sentiments has one thing in common: “narrative.” People agree, buy, relate or join a movement over narrative.
Take an example of crypto-mania: the movement started with the narrative of changing the banking system and making a better financial world. It has ended up with jobless youth getting into multi-level marketing.
Edward Barney took the cause of women’s freedom and liberty and got them addicted to smoking. The cigarette brands had access to a new customer base.
Gorge Bush lied to its public and rode on the nationalism wave by attacking Iraq, killing millions and wasting tonnes of taxpayers’ money and innocent civilians and American soldiers. He wanted revenge and put closer to 9/11 at all cost; building a narrative on nationalism was easy. And yes, he got away with it.
Indian media has forgotten about the rising prices but is building a narrative over religious hatred. It gets them viewership and money from the right-wing parties. In return, politicians win the election over religious hatred, not countries’ development. Changing the narrative and winning the election.