Sociocultural peculiarities of manipulation of public consciousness in the USA and Russia

Irkutsk State University, Department of Oriental and Asia-Pacific Studies, 664000, Irkutsk, Russia

^* Corresponding author: anncher@rambler.ru

Abstract

The article offers a comparative analysis of myths disseminated in American and Russian public discourse. The authors argue that the way myths are used as a tool of manipulating public consciousness depends on a number of social and cultural peculiarities of Russia and the USA. We demonstrate that manipulation through myths is based on universal cognitive mechanisms; therefore, both countries may use similar myths to achieve particular goals in governmental interests. On the other hand, effective manipulation becomes possible when ideas rendered by myths are understandable and appealing to a particular nation or group of people at a particular moment. Given that, political leaders of both countries manage to shape the way people understand themselves and their country in relation to the world. It helps them to maintain their interests in domestic and foreign policy.