the institute for propaganda analysis (ipa) was a u.s.-based organization composed of social scientists, opinion leaders, historians, educators, and journalists. created in 1937 by kirtley mather, edward a. filene, and clyde r. miller, the ipa formed with the general concern that increased amounts of propaganda were decreasing the publicâs ability to develop their own critical thoughts. the purpose of the ipa was to spark rational thinking and provide a guide to help the public have well-informed discussions on current issues. âto teach people how to think rather than what to think.â the ipa focused on domestic propaganda issues that might become possible threats to the democratic ways of life. == publications == to get their message across, the ipa distributed flyers, wrote several issues of the propaganda analysis bulletin, and published a series of books, including: * mcclung lee, alfred & briant lee, elizabeth, the fine art of propaganda (1939) * propaganda analysis * group leader's guide to propaganda analysis * propaganda: how to recognize and deal with it the propaganda analysis bulletin indirectly targeted the mass public through newspapers, educators, public officials, and opinion leaders, informing them of who controlled and influenced the flow of propaganda through various channels of communications. the ipa directly targeted the presidents and deans of national colleges, bishops and ministers, educational and religious periodicals, and education students by sending out flyers. also, in an attempt to educate the public about how to identify propagandistic material, the ipa issued a set of methods called the "seven common propaganda devices": # name-calling # glittering generalities # transfer # testimonial # plain folks # card stacking # bandwagon these "abcs of propaganda analysis" encouraged readers to understand and analyze their own views on propagandistic material in order to promote informed, thought-provoking discussions. == success == the ipa proved to be popular having achieved 5,900 subscriptions to its bulletin in the first year. by 1939, the ipa had created flourishing, educational programs which saw high schools, colleges, and adult civic groups engaged in discussions about propaganda. one of the ipaâs goals was to gain as much public support as possible and build a credible reputation. this initial success was due to the time periodâs obsession with propaganda. == downfall == the ipa faced many allegations that undermined its purpose. these suggested that the ipa created âmore of a destructive skepticism than an intelligent reflectiveness.â the ipa lost support from many of its publishers and also faced internal conflicts through resignations by its board members and its troubled teachers. the approach of world war ii also posed a problem. it would force the ipa n
1937_establishments_in_the_United_States 1942_disestablishments American_propaganda_during_World_War_II Political_advocacy_groups_in_the_United_States