Thesis (Ph.D.)--Stanford University, 2003. / Adviser: Andrew G. Walder. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.): Guo li zheng zhi da xue / Mimeo. copy. Includes bibliography.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 207-232).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Queensland University of Technology, 2005. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Oct. 9, 2005). Includes bibliographical references (p. 261-269).

Why is authoritarian propaganda often uninspiring, and how can states create captivating content that competes in the modern information landscape? This dissertation theorizes that dictators must strike a balance between controlling the creative process of cultural elites to promote a specific ideology and unleashing their creative potential. Overbearing ideological constraints can suppress creativity, thus necessitating powerful incentives to produce engaging propaganda. This research empirically focuses on the resurgence of propaganda films in Chinese cinemas from the mid- to late-2010s, particularly following the 2018 administrative reform when the Central Propaganda Department assumed control of the film industry. This serves as a case study demonstrating how an authoritarian state can make propaganda interesting. Utilizing novel film industry data and qualitative fieldwork, I uncover a state propaganda strategy that effectively shapes popular culture in China. I show that the Chinese government has successfully enlisted the cultural expertise of the private sector to craft entertaining and marketable propaganda through direct mandates and through shaping a market environment favorable to propaganda. Additionally, I conducted an online field experiment that demonstrates that such propagandist entertainment likely sways the majority of viewers' opinions toward the regime. However, it is worth noting that these propaganda movies may backfire among a small portion of the audience — approximately 20% of participants — who already harbor a distaste for propaganda before watching the movie. The production and reception of propagandist entertainment beyond the film industry and outside China are also discussed in this dissertation.

This thesis focuses on the leftist propaganda in the Hong Kong 1967 riots. It shows how the local leftists launched a propaganda campaign to persuade citizens to join the anti-government confrontation. After critically examining leftist propaganda materials, the thesis analyzes different arguments of the propagandists. The leftists’ propaganda failed to persuade the masses to follow them. To explain their failure, the thesis compares the aims of leftist propaganda before and during 1967. Given the different aims, the thesis argues that the inconsistency of the propaganda caused the leftists to lose support. When the leftists used violent actions to “struggle” against the colonial government, their radical actions were described by citizens as “terrorist attacks” and the leftists became “troublemakers”. Thus, the thesis also argues that the leftists’ threat to law and order drove Hong Kong citizens to stay out of the riots. After the anti-government movement became radical, the Hong Kong government took firm actions against the local communists. The police force raided leftist trade unions and arrested leftist leaders. These actions caused the breakdown of the leftist propaganda mechanism. The thesis analyzes the decision-making processes of the Hong Kong government, and argues that it was the leftists’ radical actions that caused the government’s firm actions, and thus the failure of the leftist propaganda, and the anti-government campaign were self-inflicted. / published_or_final_version / History / Master / Master of Philosophy

Thesis (Ph. D.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of History, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. A.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-140). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Sun Yat-sen used six propaganda techniques in the United States to help overthrow the Ching Dynasty in 1911: (a) individual propaganda to gain supporters through personal contact and individual persuasion; (b) propaganda of deed to solicit donations and to mobilize his supporters for military actions; (c) travel propaganda to broaden the base of revolutionary support; (d) newspaper propaganda to publicize and explain his revolutionary program; (e) debate propaganda to refute antirevolutionary criticism through speeches and pamphlets; and (f) missionary propaganda to seek sympathy and support from American missionaries and Christians.