"Nevertheless, this type of propaganda has a special value, for it serves to convince those who sign the appeal, of the necessity for carrying on propaganda; so a corps of propagandists, if I may use the term, is thus trained"

Fredrik Bajer draws attention to a unique aspect of persuasive communication, or propaganda, that goes beyond merely influencing an audience. He highlights that the act of creating and participating in propaganda serves not just the function of delivering a message to outsiders, but also significantly impacts those directly involved in the process. When individuals affix their names to a public appeal or join a collective effort, the experience fosters a personal conviction in the cause they are now helping to promote. The process of signing an appeal is more than a symbolic gesture; it binds the individual closer to the movement, transforming passive supporters into active believers.

This self-reinforcing mechanism plays a pivotal role in sustaining political or social campaigns. The propagandists themselves, through repeated engagement and justification of their actions, become increasingly committed to the necessity and effectiveness of further propaganda. Bajer suggests that a kind of self-selection and training occurs: people who may have begun with tentative support are solidified in their positions, both through public identification and the internal logic that justifies their participation. Thus, a network or even a “corps,” as Bajer names it, of dedicated propagandists emerges. These individuals are not merely distributing messages; through the act of advocacy, their own commitment is deepened, resulting in steeled resolve and heightened activity.

This phenomenon can be seen as a feedback loop: each act of advocacy increases internal conviction, which in turn spurs further advocacy. The active participant's transformation sheds light on how movements grow and sustain momentum. Rather than only viewing propaganda as an external force acting on a passive public, Bajer exposes the introspective value, the way in which propaganda works backward on its creators and supporters. Through the discipline of advocacy, propagandists become more than messengers; they become fervent believers, ensuring the stability and expansion of the cause they serve.