Psychological Warfare Theory

Abstract

Since biblical times, psychological warfare has been a nonviolent weapon used to achieve military goals.¹ Psychological warfare, or psywar, has been employed with varying degrees of success in hostilities, ranging from total war to low-intensity conflicts (LICs), and ideological and organizational struggles. Its implications on political life have been especially felt since the latter half of the twentieth century. Given the media’s dominating influence, psywar’s role in policy-shaping is expected to increase in both war- and peacetime.