Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

CousinIT

(9,225 posts)
Sun Jul 22, 2018, 01:40 PM Jul 2018

34 years ago, a KGB defector chillingly predicted modern America

https://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/34-years-ago-a-kgb-defector-described-america-today


. . . In 1984, Bezmenov gave an interview to G. Edward Griffin from which much can be learned today. His most chilling point was that there’s a long-term plan put in play by Russia to defeat America through psychological warfare and “demoralization”. It’s a long game that takes decades to achieve but it may already be bearing fruit.

Bezmenov made the point that the work of the KGB mainly does not involve espionage, despite what our popular culture may tell us. Most of the work, 85% of it, was “a slow process which we call either ideological subversion, active measures, or psychological warfare.”

What does that mean? Bezmenov explained that the most striking thing about ideological subversion is that it happens in the open as a legitimate process. “You can see it with your own eyes,” he said. The American media would be able to see it, if it just focused on it.

Here’s how he further defined ideological subversion:

What it basically means is: to change the perception of reality of every American to such an extent that despite of the abundance of information no one is able to come to sensible conclusions in the interest of defending themselves, their families, their community, and their country.”


Bezmenov described this process as “a great brainwashing” which has four basic stages. The first stage is called “demoralization” which takes from 15 to 20 years to achieve. According to the former KGB agent, that is the minimum number of years it takes to re-educate one generation of students that is normally exposed to the ideology of its country. In other words, the time it takes to change what the people are thinking.


Understanding Propaganda Techniques: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_techniques

Psychological Warfare: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_warfare

Active Measures: https://activemeasures.com/


2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
34 years ago, a KGB defector chillingly predicted modern America (Original Post) CousinIT Jul 2018 OP
A russian bot tweeted under his name to Trump to ask Russia about the emails the day he did MattP Jul 2018 #1
K&R smirkymonkey Jul 2018 #2
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»34 years ago, a KGB defec...