ABSTRACT
This chapter explores shifting definitions of propaganda, noting contributions from diverse disciplines. These definitions remind us that how we define propaganda determines whether we perceive the enterprise to be ethical or unethical. This section of the chapter is followed by a consideration of the social psychology and semantics of propaganda, given the significance of belief systems and language behaviors in producing, consuming, and critically comprehending the phenomenon. The entire enterprise is redefined in a way that should inform further studies of this pervasive component of modern society, in both mainstream and social media.
