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<center><big>''How values, opinions and beliefs are controlled in democratic societies''.</big></center>

<center><big>'''''How values, opinions and beliefs are controlled in democratic societies'''''.</big></center>

<center>By Laird Wilcox</center>

<center>By Laird Wilcox</center>

It is important to recognize and identify the patterns of a ritual defamation. Like virtually all propaganda and disinformation campaigns it is accomplished primarily through the manipulation of meaning and the use of words and symbols that characterize, identify and stigmatize. It is not used to persuade an opponent or to promote an opposing viewpoint but to inflict public ''punishment'' and ''humiliation''. Dr. Edward Manner, professor of philosophy at Notre Dame University, observes that “''stigmatization is one of the most oppressive, inhumane forms of punishment any group of human beings can inflict on one of its members''.” He notes that it is “''a form of social control a civilized society will use rarely, and only with the greatest of care''.”

It is important to recognize and identify the patterns of a ritual defamation. Like virtually all propaganda and disinformation campaigns it is accomplished primarily through the manipulation of meaning and the use of words and symbols that characterize, identify and stigmatize. It is not used to persuade an opponent or to promote an opposing viewpoint but to inflict public ''punishment'' and ''humiliation''. Dr. Edward Manner, professor of philosophy at Notre Dame University, observes that “''stigmatization is one of the most oppressive, inhumane forms of punishment any group of human beings can inflict on one of its members''.” He notes that it is “''a form of social control a civilized society will use rarely, and only with the greatest of care''.”