A PRACTICAL OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE OF MUSIC IN THE PROPAGANDA OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

Abstract

The article examines the practical role of music in the propaganda systems of various countries. The aim of the study is to demonstrate how music has been used in propaganda practices across different nations. To achieve this goal, the information was analyzed, compared, and summarized through the use of methods such as comparison, classification, and generalization, which made it possible to clearly outline the role of music in the propaganda structures of different countries during the 20th and 21st centuries. The findings indicate that propaganda is a targeted process of communicative influence. It became especially widespread in the 20th and 21st centuries, particularly during World War II. Various propaganda tools are used, yet music holds a special place as it combines emotional, psychological, and cognitive influence. The study demonstrates that music serves not only an aesthetic but also a social and communicative function. It has been established that, in a political context, music can reflect and shape the spirit of an era, strengthening the sense of unity around particular ideas or a leader. Examples from different countries show that music is actively used in election campaigns, rallies, revolutionary movements, and even in modern political advertising. In particular, in the United Kingdom and the United States, special “anthems of unity” are created to evoke in voters a sense of trust, patriotism, and nostalgia. During World War II, music was mainly employed to maintain soldiers’ morale, foster a sense of unity, and inspire the desire to fight for certain ideals. The practical value of this study lies in rethinking the understanding of the role of music in the propaganda system through a historical approach. This is of great importance for politicians and diplomats who aim to develop and influence the population or specific social groups.