Spinning the World
Spinning the World
$39.99
USDSpinning the World is the first book to examine the public relations industry's hidden hand of influence on American foreign relations. By working with groups of American citizens, domestic and overseas businesses, and US and foreign governments, PR firms influenced foreign policy debates and shaped how Americans thought about their place in the world in the twentieth century. Since World War I, the relationship between the public relations industry and American foreign relations has been complex and controversial. The century saw recurring debates and investigations into PR's role in creating propaganda, as fears grew that PR might be used to undermine American democracy. Convincing the American people to buy products as consumers was one thing. Persuading them to think differently about the nation's place in the world as citizens was something else altogether. In this book, Andrew Johnstone shows how business interests helped shape the broader national interest, for better or worse.
- The first book to examine the public relations industry's influence on American foreign relations
- Reveals the various ways PR sought to influence governmental and public opinion
- Utilizes primary sources and personal papers to investigate the role of PR leaders
Reviews & endorsements
‘Andrew Johnstone has made the case that the history of twentieth century US foreign relations is inextricable from public relations. As much as the 'mad man' in the White House he's shown we should investigate the ‘Mad Men' who, for the right price, nimbly manufactured perceptions of world issues.' David Ekbladh, author of Plowshares into Swords: Weaponized Knowledge, Liberal Order, and the League of Nations
‘Andrew Johnstone's magnificent Spinning the World fills a gaping hole in the literature in providing us with the first study of the impact of PR executives and their industry upon the making of US foreign relations.' Justin Hart, author of Empire of Ideas: The Origins of Public Diplomacy and the Transformation of US Foreign Policy
‘In this eye-opening book, Johnstone exposes the staggering clout that public relations firms wielded over 20th century US foreign policy, highlighting their undemocratic yet invisible influence. Given the rising threat of disinformation today, this troubling history could not be timelier.' Julia F. Irwin, author of Catastrophic Diplomacy: US Foreign Assistance in the American Century
‘Spinning the World explores the history of both partnerships and tensions between US foreign policy and America's pioneering public relations industry. Readers will applaud Johnstone's fresh historical material, provocative insights, and clear writing. It is a must-read for PR professionals, foreign policy experts, and all people concerned with how the powers of hidden persuaders intersect with democratic values.' Emily S. Rosenberg, editor of A World Connecting: 1870–1945
Product details
September 2025Hardback
9781009567862
256 pages
234 × 159 × 24 mm
0.51kg
Not yet published - available from August 2025
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- List of Abbreviations
- Introduction: The Invisible Hand
- 1. Progressive Origins: World War I and the Committee on Public Information
- 2. Defining an Industry: Public Theory and Private Practice
- 3. Conflicts of Interest: Ivy Lee, Carl Byoir, and Nazi Germany
- 4. Promoting War and Peace: Entry into World War II
- 5. Shaping International Order: Citizens' Organizations and the Postwar World
- 6. Aligning with Government: Cold War and Psychological Warfare
- 7. Developing American Business: Edward Bernays, the United Fruit Company, and Guatemala
- 8. Selling the World to America: Nation Branding, the Vietnam Lobby, and the Congressional Backlash
- Epilogue
- Bibliography
- Index.
