Tuning Minds: How Music Drives Nationalistic Propaganda Across Countries

This study investigates how different states and political regimes seek to leverage music to persuade their populations and promote an agenda. This research aims to uncover new perspectives on factors contributing to the stability of nuclear-capable nations. This study first employs a qualitative, sociological approach to understanding music using case study datasets for historical and current nations of interest. We then move to a quantitative approach utilizing MATLAB packages that compare the musical elements of song datasets with each other through a measure of Euclidean Distance. This research offers a novel perspective on music and influence, providing valuable insights to the DoD that extend the current understanding of how states may use musicians to influence the culture of the population. The study's findings contribute to our understanding of persuasion in nuclear-capable countries, highlighting areas for future research and potential policy or practical applications. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not reflect the position of the United States Military Academy, the Department of the Army, or the Department of Defense.