Provocative thought about public relations

In reinterpreting Bernays, and as a result of his own interview with him in 1984, Olasky discovered a philosophy of public relations that holds that, (a) because among the masses emotion is more powerful than reason, and (b) because there is no God watching over the world, (c) therefore, manipulation of these masses through public relations techniques is essential to prevent chaos and ensure public order. Olasky argued that this “rationale for public relations manipulation based on his lack of confidence in either God or man . . . was his [Bernays’] most significant contribution to 20th century public relations” (p. 83).

Source: Pearson, 2009, p. 104 (in book: Rhetorical and Critical Approaches to Public Relations II)