Information and Psychological Weapons in Political Discourse as an Indicator of Multivectorism

The article is devoted to the typology and functioning of information and psychological weapons as an indicator that allows identifying the directions of international interaction, how they are modeled in the public opinion of a particular state, the readiness of its political elites to interact in several directions. Information and psychological weapons are messages aimed at discrediting the target of influence by forming its negative image and/or causing reputational damage to its fundamental characteristics, including the use of disinformation, questionable (unverified) information, destructive attitudes and other techniques. Depending on the selected means of influence and the goals of the communicator, the author identifies five levels of weapons: without the use of emotive and/or conflict-generating elements (first-level weapons), with the use of emotive and/ or conflict-generating elements (second-level weapons), with the use of direct destructive attitudes, disinformation or overwhelming emotionality of the negative spectrum (thirdlevel weapons), a message in the interests of achieving military goals (fourth-level weapons), a message in the interests of massive information suppression of the enemy (fifth-level weapons). Based on the analysis of the distribution of information and psychological weapons in political discourse by levels and targets, it is possible to measure and evaluate the actual attitude towards Russia on the part of political elites of foreign countries, who explicitly and implicitly broadcast their position through affiliated communicators.

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