So recently, I read this article discussing some measures being taken by Greece to help with it's continually growing debt crisis. One strategy they discussed is "buying back" bonds to help Greece pay off it's loans. To do this, Athens is telling banks that it is their "patriotic duty" to help make sure this debt can be paid off. To some, this buy back of loans may be the only way to save Greece from this economic pit.
Though this analogy is a stretch, this idea sort of reminds me of back during WWII when our government worked hard to boost nationalistic moral so soldiers would enlist for the US Army, people back home would be willing to help out economically, and, generally speaking, the public would support this war that's taking place all the way in Europe.
To me, this raises a question: is propoganda, or even just the idea of saying something is a "patriotic duty", an acceptable way for government to get something done if, in the end, it is to benefit the people?
In other words, if the only way government can get a task necessary for the improvement of the country is to convince everyone, even through stretching the truth, guilt, or flat out lies, that they need to do a certain thing? Or should government remain honest at all times, even if that means having to deal with some hard issues, such as economic downfalls and extrenuous wars?
I believe this is a complex question with no one straight up answer. Obviously, a scenario when there is only one way to fix any issue is rare, but if this were to happen, I'd argue that yes, government has the right to lie if and only if it is the only way to solve the issue at hand. It's sort of like when a child doesn't want to brush their teeth, and the only way for the mother to get the child to brush is to say that the tooth fairy only gives money to those that brush. Again, this is an exaggeration, and Greece's situation is one that is also more complex than simply straight up lies or deceit by government. But if the only way to save the country is by jumping through a few hoops, I believe it is fair in the long run.
Now I open the question up to you. Do you believe government has the right to lie, if it is to benefit the country? What is your opinion on Greece's situation? What is your opinion of usage of War Propaganda in WWII? Was that necessary? Feel free to answer below.
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I think that the government should tell the truth to its citizens. However, I don't believe that telling someone that something is their "patriotic duty" is exactly lying to them. I think it may be a form of exaggeration, which in my mind is not lying to someone.
ReplyDeleteIn the case fo Greece, I think that it's a little extreme to tell people that it's their "patriotic duty" to buy back these bonds, but I don't believe that they are lying. Telling someone that it is their "patriotic duty" is just a motivation for people to do something. It may make some people feel obligated to do such things, but it's not lying to them or forcing them to do something. Overall, I think it can be counted as a positive thing.
For WWII, I believe propaganda was necessary, and it encouraged many people to enlist in something that the President had been touting until Pearl Harbor.