Imagocracy (from the Spanish imagocracia) is a form of governance where censorship and propaganda—particularly through media manipulation—rather than violent coercion, significantly influence on public opinion and policy to maintain power.[1][2] In an imagocracy, primarily observed in so-called informational autocracies[3] or spin dictatorships,[2] the focus is on propaganda techniques such as spin, disinformation, and maintaining psychological control by instilling fear of the 'Other.'[2]
The term imagocracy captures the idea that in modern society, where media and visual culture are pervasive, the image and the data projected by leaders or movements can be as important, if not more important, than their actual actions or beliefs.[4] An informational autocracy does not use violence or direct repression on its political opponents. It also creates its own institutions that mimic democratic institutions. The final characteristic of these regimes is that they have little support with the educated elite, but have wide support among the less-educated masses.[5]
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