My favorite quotation regarding manipulation is by Herrman Goering, Nazi and president of the Reichstag from 1932 to 1945.
"Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship. ...voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to "the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."
I've witnessed the use of this principle in U. S. politics. By the way, my point here is not about war but about methods used to keep the public that has questions quiet.
