Propaganda and Nation Building: Selling the Irish Free State

by Kevin Hora

Overview

This book examines the origins of Ireland in its first independent incarnation, the Irish Free State (1922-1937). It explores how contemporary public relations and propaganda techniques were used to construct an identity for this new state – a state which after enduring seven years of insurrection and civil war, became one of the most stable democracies in Europe. This stability, the book argues, was constructed not solely through policies enacted by governments, but through the construction of a Gaelic, Catholic and Celtic national identity.

By shifting the perspective to how nation building was communicated, it weaves an interdisciplinary narrative that initiates a new understanding of nation building - providing insights of increasing relevance in current world events. Avoiding a simplistic cause and effect history of public relations, the book examines the uses and effects of early public relations from a political and societal perspective and suggests that while governments were only modestly successful in their varied propaganda efforts, cumulatively they facilitated a transition from violence to peace.

This will be of interest to researchers and advanced students with an interest in public relations, propaganda studies, nation building and Irish studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138829138
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/28/2017
Series:	Routledge New Directions in PR & Communication Research
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Kevin Hora lectures in public relations and public affairs in Dublin Institute of Technology and Rathmines College of Further Education, and is a member of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 Influences on the development of Free State propaganda

2 Funding propaganda

3 New media and propaganda

4 Propaganda and nation-building

5 Securing the state through propaganda

6 Commercial propaganda

7 Tourism propaganda

8 ‘A transient ornament of statehood’ – external affairs and diplomatic propaganda

Conclusion