Donald Trump's Anti-Immigration Campaign - Literature review Example

Donald Trump’s Anti-Immigration Campaign First world and second world countries around the world have recently experienced an influx in the number of people seeking either economic or political asylum. Although originally not a problem, the increased immigration rates have prompted various nations to find ways to reduce the number of both economic and political refugees. This Anti-immigration campaign has been witnessed in Europe, Africa, Australia and the United States. The United States ranks among the countries with the highest immigration rates, with a high population of these immigrants being of Hispanic descent. The high population levels of both legal and illegal Hispanic immigrants in America have resulted in them being the subject of numerous anti-immigration campaigns especially during the election period, with politicians using the propaganda campaigns as ways to achieve more votes. The US 2016 election year is no different from other election years, as different candidates have employed anti-immigration propaganda as ways to gain nominations with the most prominent being the Republican presidential frontrunner, Donald Trump. A major part of Trump’s campaign involves the use of anti-immigration propaganda, which includes a promise to construct a wall along the Mexican-American border to prevent the Mexican and immigrants from Latin American countries from coming into the United States. This paper provides an analysis of Trump’s anti-immigration stance during his presidential campaign; therefore, act as an informative piece on how propaganda influences public opinion in an authoritarian society. Literature Review Role of the Media in Promoting the Anti-Immigration Discourse in the USA Propaganda spread through cable television greatly influences the perceptions of people watching them. In the United States, television news networks play a huge role in influencing the American perception in respect to Mexican immigrants. Zúñiga, Correa, and Valenzuela (2012) conducted an analysis of how two of America largest cable news networks, FOX, and CNN, influence attitudes towards immigrants especially those of Latin American descent. According to Zúñiga, Correa, and Valenzuela (2012), FOX news network is linked to increased negative perceptions of people of Hispanic descent. FOX news involves minimal mention of Mexican immigrants, with most of the mentions depicting these individuals’ criminals and a burden to society. As a result, the majority of FOX viewers are conservative Republicans who seem to share the same a negative attitude against Latin-American immigrants. A more liberal population, who seem harbor fewer negative attitudes towards Mexican immigrants, on the other hand, watches CNN (Zúñiga, Correa, & Valenzuela, 2012). According to these findings, the media plays a huge role in promoting propaganda and the attitudes of Americans towards immigrants. Schemer (2012) also investigated the impact of the media on stereotypic perceptions towards Hispanic immigrants, especially during political campaigns. The study results revealed that during political campaigns immigrants are often negatively portrayed in the news; therefore, promoting stereotypical perceptions among citizens. The study, however, explained that less educated people are more likely to be influenced by negative media portrayal as compared to higher educated individuals (Schemer, 2012). As such anti-immigration propaganda spread through the use of mass media is likely to influence the less educated, who make a larger part of the population. Factors Promoting the Rise of Anti-Immigration Discourse The anti-immigration debate is promoted by different factors including increased numbers of hate groups and radicle-right groups especially during the campaign period. Beirich and Potok (2009) explored the recent rise of hate group violence in the United States as well as their impact on the anti-immigration discourse and propaganda. According to Beirich and Potok (2009), the period between 2000 and 2007 saw the number of white supremacist groups increase by approximately 48 %. The increase in the number of hate groups in the United States, saw resulted in increased propaganda against both blacks and the Latin-American population. These various hate groups have mainly relied on people’s fear as ways of promoting their propaganda, with some of these groups participating in acts of violence against the immigrant population (Beirich & Potok, 2009). Other than the rise of hate groups, politicians also play a huge role in promoting the anti-immigration discourse. Mols and Jetten (2014) conducted a study on how statements made by politicians especially during the election period affect the anti-immigration debate. According to Mols and Jetten (2014), politicians in conservative parties employ temporal narratives, which result in collective fear and angst among a country’s citizens. These temporal narratives mainly employ historical stories and glories to justify the harsher treatment of immigrants. Employing these propaganda techniques in Europe has resulted in the passing of more anti-immigration policies and laws. Another reason resulting in the rise of the anti-immigration debate is the increased in job competitions due to increased people. Most individuals who move to developed countries from less developed countries often increased job competition especially because they are willing to work for cheaper wages. Miller-Gonzalez and Rensmann (2010) explained xenophobia to be a major factor promoting the increase in anti-immigration propaganda. Different individuals have explored this fear in promoting anti-immigration debate, with the most recent being in the United Kingdom. Anti-Immigration Propaganda in Other Developed Countries The anti-immigration campaign had existed in Europe for more than a century but did not receive much attention until the late 1980s, when right-wing political parties started gained increased popularity in Western European countries. Richardson and Colombo (2013) analyzed the use of posters and leaflets in Italy as ways of promoting the anti-immigration debate. The study explained that Italian right wing party to employ images and words displayed on posters as a way of spreading anti-immigration propaganda (Richardson & Colombo, 2013). The propaganda campaigns promoted by the right wing party in Italy mainly aim at developing hostility against immigrants. Another developed country that has recently experienced anti-immigration propaganda is Norway. Recent terror attacks in Oslo and Utoya resulted in increased popularity for conservative political parties (Wiggen, 2012). After the terror attacks, these political parties employed words and images intended to develop a fear against immigrants. Other than political parties, the Norwegian media has also played a huge part in promoting anti-immigration propaganda in the country (Wiggen, 2012). Previous Anti-migration Campaigns in the USA Other than the Trump anti-immigration propaganda campaign, there have been other campaigns conducted by different groups with the aim of reducing the number of Latin-Americans coming to America. Romero (2008) reported an anti-immigration campaign launched by mothers in the United States. The anti-immigration group based in Arizona mainly targeted immigrant women and called for government agencies to focus on women who come with their children in America. The group is mainly employed propaganda messages, which explained the increased number of Hispanic immigrants to result in over-crowded and underachieving schools (Romero, 2008). The Arizona-based group mainly appalled to people’s emotions with the group’s slogan being “Protect our Children, Secure our Borders.” Other than the campaign led by mothers, white supremacy groups in Arizona have also been conducting numerous propaganda campaigns that target refugees from Central America American countries, Propaganda campaigns led by hate groups in Arizona mainly target people’s fears, to explain the need for tougher laws about immigration (Campbell, 2015). These campaigns have resulted in increased violence against immigrants from Central and Latin America. Findings Documents and Methodology used in Analysis The process of analyzing Donald’s Trumps anti-immigration campaign involved the study of videos, news articles, and results from the Republican presidential nominations. The news articles employed in analyzing Trump’s anti-propaganda campaign mainly aimed at understanding the impact of his the propaganda on the American society. McGreal (2015), which was one of the news articles used in the study mainly explored the impacts of Trump’s anti-immigration stance on the US presidential results. The use of videos allowed an understanding of some of the techniques employed by Trump, in spreading his propaganda campaign. The use of the Republican presidential nomination results helped in understanding the impact of Trump’s propaganda campaign on the American population. Campaigns Description Trump’s anti-immigration propaganda campaign mainly targets immigrants coming from Mexico. The campaign is a big lie propaganda campaign as Trump has employed past events to justify his promise to construct a wall along the US-Mexico border. Trump’s propaganda campaign mainly aims at improving his popularity among Republican voters in America. Most individuals supporting the Republican Party are mainly conservative and mainly have a negative perception towards immigrants. Trump’s propaganda campaign has allowed him to receive increased support from these conservative individuals. The main participants of the anti-immigration propaganda campaign were Trump and his campaign team, as well as Republican policymakers supporting Trump’s Presidential bid. Trump’s anti-immigration propaganda campaign employs several techniques to ensure the success of the campaign. Trump’s campaign appeals to the fears of the American population. In his campaign, Trump claims that Mexican immigrants are thieves, rapists, and drug dealers, which results in American citizens being afraid of these immigrants. Trump also employs generalization as a way of promoting his propaganda campaign. Trump’s propaganda campaign labels all Mexican immigrants as criminals, which is not always the case. This generalization has resulted in Americans viewing ALL Mexican Immigrants as a menace to society; therefore, promote Trump’s bid to limit entry into the US. Trump’s propaganda campaign also appeals to people’s emotions. In explaining his Anti-immigration plan, Trump makes use of emotional statements including a promise to make the Mexicans construct the same wall that is going to prevent them from coming into America. This appeal to emotions has allowed Trump to achieve increased popularity among Republican voters. Discussion The anti-immigration propaganda campaign led by Donald Trump is mainly an election tactic meant to increase Trump’s popularity among the conservative Republican voters, who view immigrants from Latin and Central American countries as a burden to the society. Although the anti-immigration campaign has existed in the US in previous years, Trump’s campaign is unique as he is the first presidential candidate to employ widespread propaganda in his campaign. One of the most prominent tools for spreading propaganda is the media. The use of television, video, and social media networks influences the fast spread of propaganda within a large population are. The most commonly used tool in spreading propaganda messages is the television and radio. These media tools are available in almost every home; therefore, quite effective especially when one wants to reach a large population base. Trump has made use of Republican presidential debates as a tool to help propel his anti-immigration propaganda. Presidential debates Presidential debates are watched by a large part of the population; therefore, effective tools for spreading propaganda campaign. Trump also receives increased media attention from television interviews, which also provides a stage for him to spread his propaganda agenda. Trump’s anti-immigration campaign received a varied reception from American citizens and immigrants. American citizens are divided with some supporting Trump’s campaign, which has been illustrated by Trump winning a majority of the Republican nominations in the different states. Democrat voters, however, view Trumps campaign as wrong and misinformed, which has resulted in him being criticized by the American president and policy makers from the Democrat party. Conclusion Political campaigns often employ propaganda as ways of attracting more voters. These campaigns may attack a certain group of peoples like has been the case with Trump’s anti-immigration stance, which mainly targets Latin American Immigrants. Although founded on half-truths, Trump’s anti-immigration propaganda campaign has experienced success, as he is still the presidential frontrunner for the Republican Party. Trump's use of the presidential debates and television talk shows has also been effective in spreading the Propaganda, through the entire American population. References Beirich, H., & Potok, M. (2009). USA: Hate Groups, Radical-Right Violence, on the Rise. Oxford Journals, 255-263. Campbell, K. M. (2015). A Dry Hate: White Supremacy and Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric in the Humanitarian Crisis on the U.S.-Mexico Border. 117 West Virginia Law Review 1081. McGreal, C. (2015, September 14). Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric could lose Republicans the 2016 election. Retrieved from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/14/donald-trump-anti-immigrant-2016-election-republican-loss Miller-Gonzalez, J., & Rensmann, L. (2010). Xenophobia and Anti-Immigrant Politics. The International Studies Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jennifer_Miller-Gonzalez/publication/237009965_Xenophobia_and_Anti-Immigrant_Politics/links/00b7d51ae213a29b1f000000.pdf Mols, F., & Jetten, J. (2014). No Guts, No Glory: How Framing the Collective Past Paves the Way for Anti-immigrant Sentiments. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 43, 74-86. Richardson, J. E., & Colombo, M. (2013). Continuity and change in anti-immigrant discourse in Italy: An analysis of the visual propaganda of the Lega Nord. Journal of Language and Politics,(23), 180-202. Romero, M. (2008). "Go After the Women": Mothers Against Illegal Aliens' Campaign Against Mexican Immigrant Women and Their Children. Indiana Law Journal, 83(4), 1355-1388. Schemer, C. (2012). The Influence of News Media on Stereotypic Attitudes Toward Immigrants in a Political Campaign. Journal of Communication, 739-757. Tankersley, J., & Clement, S. (2015, November 24). It’s not just Donald Trump: Half of Republicans share his views on immigrants and refugees. Retrieved from The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/11/24/its-not-just-donald-trump-half-of-republicans-shares-his-views-on-immigrants-and-refugees/ Wiggen, M. (2012). Rethinking Anti-Immigration Rhetoric after the Oslo and Utøya Terror Attacks. Right-Wing Populism and the Media, 585-604. Zúñiga, H. G., Correa, T., & Valenzuela, S. (2012). Selective Exposure to Cable News and Immigration in the U.S.: The Relationship Between FOX News, CNN, and Attitudes Toward Mexican Immigrants. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 597-615. Read More