that key figure in the study/shaping of US public opinion in the 20th century, a member of the Committee on Public Information (CIP, 1917-1919), arguably the first USG 'propaganda' agency in the US? Some esteemed scholarly studies state that he was. However, other sources -- which I consider more reliable on the issue -- do not. The journalist George Creel -- the head of the CIP -- was described by his boss, Woodrow Wilson, as 'a man with a passion for adjectives.'
Lippmann was analytical, philosophical. This reflects the many-century-old debate between the philosopher (Lippmann) and the rhetorican (Creel). The Lippmann/Creel divide -- thought vs. hype, to put it crudely -- is essential to understanding the nature and inner tension of USG overseas propaganda in the 20th century. And it has important implications for US public diplomacy today.
Hence I am working on an article on confirming that, in fact, Lippmann was not a member of the CPI, and indeed was critical of it." Lippmann image (above) from; Creel image (below) from
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John - I teach chapters from "Public Opinion" in my NYU course...still find it the best source on the essential multidisciplinarity of public diplomacy, despite the Orwellian elitism. (I think it good for the students to get the mindset on another era, in any event.) We had a healthy discussion about propaganda vs. information, focusing on the most "negative" definitions of propaganda, in class last week. I will be very very interested in your paper. (I asume there's no definitive document listing membership in the committee?) Best regards, Judy Siegel
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