The Projection of Britain Abroad, 1945–51

Abstract

Although it is now generally accepted in democracies that propaganda has become a major requisite of modern warfare, it is less well appreciated that propaganda has in fact become no less essential to the maintenance of peace, power and prestige. Britain, the pioneer of modern war propaganda techniques,¹ has always remained squeamish and sceptical about the peacetime employment of state propaganda, but the phenomenon of Britain’s decline from being the only global great power at the start of the century to its present position would, if anything, appear to merit a more positive and enthusiastic approach, particularly to overseas propaganda or ‘national projection’. Certainly, as the 1954 Drogheda Enquiry into the Overseas Information Services recognised:

Propaganda is no substitute for policy: nor should it be regarded as a substitute for military strength, economic efficiency or financial stability. Propaganda may disguise weakness, but the assertion of strength will deceive nobody unless the strength is there.²

Propaganda may indeed fail ultimately to disguise weakness or the realities of decline but it can provide an illusion of strength and confidence that does serve to aid foreign policy objectives in effective short-term ways.