The factors, which lead to the success of propaganda, are as follows:
Crisis and war situation: In times of crisis or war people are so much perturbted that they become victims to propaganda easily. Rumours become very effective iii such situations. During such emergencies propagandists preaching extreme political opinions tend to command more public support than under more settled conditions. In h peaceful society where the people are economically satisfied, views cannot be so quickly changed by propaganda appeals.
Winning side: If a party has known large majority in an area, its appeals at the election time may be more effective than those ol other parties. The same is true of an army reputed to be victorious. Nothing succeeds like success. It is true in war as also in election campaigns.
Existence of censorship: An autocratic government or dictatorship imposes various kinds of restrictions on freedom of expression of opinion by such methods as censorship on the newspapers, press anil publication. It thus enjoys monopoly of propaganda. The same is true of • strong political party. Then the campaigns of such a party are likely to In’ more effective than if its messages were liable to be challenged by rival parties.
Marginal issues: The issues, which are of marginal thmi of critical importance to the people, are readily successful, for they will have little or no effect on the opinions of the people one way or the othoi Similarly, if the views or programmes of rival leaders or parties are more or less similar, effective propaganda by one leader or party will tip the scale* against the other.
High degree of accuracy: When messages have a high degree of accuracy, they will be more acceptable to the people than thow which are based on a complete falsification of the existing State of affairs.
The appeal of specific groups: Some sections of tIk people are highly suggestible to high or extreme political views than oth*f sections, because of their age, sex, social status, class, religion or rom These include the young, the poor, the minority groups and those of status.