Autor/-in: Edward L. Bernays

Edward L. Bernays (1891-1995) was an American pioneer in the field of public relations and a nephew of Sigmund Freud. Drawing upon contemporary psychological theory, Bernays developed strategies for shaping public perception through media and symbolic association. Over the course of his long career, he advised corporations, political figures, and public institutions, helping to define the professional practice of public relations in the twentieth century. His later work, including Propaganda (1928), further articulated his theory that public opinion in democratic societies could be guided by informed and strategic communication. Bernays's writings continue to influence discussions of media ethics, political messaging, and the psychology of persuasion.