Strategies of Manipulation in Democratic Societies in A Globalised Age: Transitioning To A Cashless Society in Germany - Master's Thesis

Strategies of manipulation in democratic societies
in a globalised age:
Transitioning to a cashless society in Germany
Master's Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Arts in Global Studies
awarded by the Institut für Asien- und Afrikawissenschaften, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Ger-
many) and the Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (Argentina)
Submitted by Malika Achmedowa

from Jena, Germany
Summer/Winter semester 2017

Social Sciences
1st supervisor: Prof. Dr. Boike Rehbein

2nd supervisor: Prof. Dr. Alejandro Pelfini
Berlin, 24.07.2017
2
Acknowledgement
First and foremost, I thank my mother, who always faced reality and the facts of life in a genuine
way, by believing in herself. She gave me the confidence to trust my inner voice. This also inspired
and motivated me to follow this topic.
Special thanks to my supervisors, Prof. Dr. Boike Rehbein and Prof. Dr. Alejandro Pelfini, who al-
ways provided support and counsel, as well as competent and enriching advice throughout the entire
working process.
To those who made a significant contribution to this work, I would also like to express my sincerest
gratitude: Albrecht Müller and Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker provided their knowledge and experience for
the expert interviews in this study, as well as all volunteers, who participated in the online survey of
this research. Warm thanks go to Maria Sell, René Sperber, and the Stein siblings for their support.
.
Abstract 3
Abstract
The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organised habits and opinions of the
masses is an important element in democratic society.
(Bernays, 1928a, p. 9)
Edward Bernays, “father of Public Relations”, has already claimed correctly at the beginning of
the last century that manipulation is a legitimate way to influence people´s opinion, since the free-
dom of expression is one of the greatest manifestations and achievements of democracy:
Every person shall have the right to freely express and disseminate his/her opinions in
speech, writing and pictures, and to inform himself/herself without hindrance from gener-
ally accessible sources. Freedom of the press and freedom of reporting by means of broad-
casting and films shall be guaranteed. There shall be no censorship. (Article 5, Constitu-
tional Law of the Federal Republic of Germany)
Based on the fundamental rights recognised in the German constitution everybody is free to ex-
press their opinion and has therefore the “privilege of attempting to sway public opinion”
(Bernays 1928b, p. 959). This form of manipulation serves to influence the public mind, and gain
acceptance for new ideas (Ibid.).
The recent debate about a cash limitations and the vision of a cashless future in
this globalised age provides the ideal basis to consider the use of manipulation strategies in current
democratic societies, because the use of manipulation methods has not been investigated in the
context of a cashless future (in Germany). For this, the research draws on different methodological
approaches: conduction of expert interviews, media analyses, and online survey with 218 German
citizens to investigate this field of research. The focus on prevailing capitalist interests in this
globalised age, and the role of mass media as the megaphone of public opinion in democratic
societies additionally frame the research.
Table of contents 4
Table of contents
Acknowledgement .................................................................................................................... 2
Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Table of contents ...................................................................................................................... 4
List of appendices ..................................................................................................................... 5
List of abbreviations ................................................................................................................. 6
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 7
1.1 Background and research´s objective 8
1.2 Research problem and significance of the research 9
1.3 Structure of thesis 10
2 Conceptual frameworks of the research ....................................................................... 11
2.1 War on cash and steps towards a cashless future 11
2.1.1 Global war on cash .................................................................................................. 17
2.1.2 European war on cash and cash abolition in Germany ............................................ 18
2.2 Role of media in a democratic society 20
2.3 Manipulation strategies and cash abolition in Germany 24
3 Conclusions and Model ................................................................................................. 26
4 Research design.............................................................................................................. 32
4.1 Research Questions and Hypothesis 33
4.2 Methodology 35
4.2.1 Expert interviews .................................................................................................... 36
4.2.2 Media analysis.......................................................................................................... 39
4.2.3 Online survey .......................................................................................................... 44
5 Analysis and findings ..................................................................................................... 47
5.1 Results for the expert interviews 47
5.2 Results media analysis 50
5.3 Results online survey 55
6 Discussion....................................................................................................................... 64
7 Conclusions and prospects ............................................................................................ 68
8 References ....................................................................................................................... 71
9 Appendices...................................................................................................................... I
Statutory declaration ................................................................................................................. 81
List of appendices 5
List of appendices
A1: Model: The Hidden Persuaders - Techniques of hidden Argumentation, Ständige

Publikumskonferenz 2016 (Fig. 1)
A2: Model of Manipulation Methods, German Original, Müller & Achmedowa, 2017a (Fig. 3)
A3: Expert interview: Protocol of conversation with Albrecht Müller (Table 1)
A4: Expert interview - Protocol of conversation with Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker (Table 2)
A5: Media analysis - Transcription and analysis of “cashless future“ news report in ARD
Tagesthemen (Table 3)
A6: Media analysis - Transcription and analysis of “cashless future” news report in ZDF heute
journal (Table 4)
A7: Media analysis - Table of operationalisation (Table 5)
A8: Online survey - questionnaire, German original (Fig. 6)
A9: Expert interviews - categorised interview transcriptions (Table 7)
A10: Expert interviews - Paraphrased Results in relation to research questions, Albrecht Müller
& Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker (Table 8)
A11: Findings media analysis in ARD Tagesthemen´s “cashless future” report (Table 9)
A12: Findings media analysis in ZDF heute journal´s “cashless future” report (Table 10)
A13: Model Manipulation Methods of Manipulation used for the promotion of a cashless future
in Germany (Fig. 7)
A14: Online survey - Results to question 18, What is your age? (Fig. 8)
A15: Online survey - Results to question 4, Which print media do you use to inform yourself?
A16: Results Online survey - Results to question 4, Which media channels from radio, TV,
internet do you use to inform yourself? (Table 11)
A17: Results online survey: Answers to question 6, can you think of reasons for cash
limitation/abolition? (Fig. 10)
A18: Results online survey: Answers to questions 8a, where in media have you perceived media
coverage about a cashless future? (Tables 7.1 – 7.4)
A19: Results online survey, Answers to question 8b, how did you perceived the presentation of a
cashless future in media programmes? (Fig. 11)
A20: Results online survey - Results to question 8c, which elements have you perceived in
media programmes about a cashless future? (Fig. 11)
A21: Graphic Millennials and expectations of future banking (Fig. 13)
List of abbreviations 6
List of abbreviations
BIS Bank for International Settlement

CEO Chief Executive Officer
CETA Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement
FAZ Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
FSO Federal Statistical Office
HNA Hessische Niedersächsische Allgemeine
IS Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
LVZ Leipziger Volkszeitung
MZ Mitteldeutsche Zeitung
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NGO Non-governmental organisation
NIRP Negative Interest Rate Policy
OTZ Ostthüringer Zeitung
RFID Radio Frequency Identity
SDR Special Drawing Rights
TINA There is no alternative
TTIP Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
EU European Union
WEF World Economic Forum
ZIRP Zero Interest Rate Policy
Introduction 7
1 Introduction
A fully electronic monetary system – totally transparent, without any privacy protection
for transactions, accompanied by the constant risk of exploitation by the state – means that
money won´t be private anymore. The path to hell is paved despite any good intentions.1
(Höfert, 2014, The hell is cashless)
In this age of globalisation, which is also characterised by extraordinary technological progresses

and a global consciousness of interconnectedness, the idea of a cashless future appears not so far
away. Democratic societies adjust to prevailing values and (global) conditions of this time and
build new economic and political grounds for action. The vision of a cashless future is one out-
come, which occupies actors from around the world: from nation states and in the global arena.
What about the motives for such radical desire of change? Are the given reasons,
such as corruption, money laundering, and illegal employment valid grounds to justify this devel-
opment in this age of globalisation?
Since this development is becoming increasingly relevant in European countries, particu-
larly in Germany, this paper seeks to evaluate techniques of opinion formation that are applied in
Germany to convince the public of a future without using cash.
In order to abolish paper money incrementally, new laws and regulations are passed behind
closed doors (Casey Research, 2016; Häring, 2016, pp. 29-30, 2017b; BBC 2017) throughout Eu-
rope.
The role of the media, encompassing its various channels, plays an extraordinary role in expressing
the public opinion and promoting the global agenda. How is the population’s opinion manipulated
1
Own translation of the original Quote: “Ein vollelektronisches Geldsystem – völlig transparent, ohne jeglichen
Schutz der Privatsphäre bei Transaktionen und mit dem ständigen Risiko einer Enteignung durch den Staat – bedeutet,
dass Geld kein privates Eigentum mehr sein wird. Der Weg in die Hölle ist mit guten Absichten gepflastert.“ Andreas
Höfert: Die Hölle ist bargeldlos. In: Die Weltwoche, Edition 27/2014, http://www.weltwoche.ch
Introduction 8
in a democratic society? And which methods are used by the mass media to convince the popula-
tion of cashless future?
1.1 Background and research´s objective
Throughout the development of globalisation, we can observe new phenomena of huge social di-
mension, for example the work with new technologies (retention of data), which also applies to
the financial sphere.
The current trend of cash limitations and partial abolition of paper money became reality in many
European countries, such as Sweden or Denmark. Additionally, on a global scale, cashless devel-
opments can be recognised in several countries, for example India´s rationing that drove the coun-
try and its population into a state of chaos, whereby people were unable to conduct businesses as
usual, and support themselves (See Vidhi, 2016). Other examples are the popularity of using credit
cards in the US, mobile payment services such as in Kenia and the rest of Africa, as well as other
contactless payment possibilities that are becoming increasingly popular (Asset, 2017). Also, the
digital cryptocurrency Bitcoin serves as another new model for cashless transactions.
On every continent around the world, changes in regulations of monetary and fiscal policy can be
observed. In Northern European regions like Scandinavia the dominating use of cashless payment
services seems to be favoured by all consumers. Whether buying bread from the local baker or a
newspaper or magazine from the local corner shop, people have their credit cards faster to hand as
a paper bill, and don´t seem to question this way of paying for their goods and debts (Häring,
2016).
During India´s cash rationing in November 2016, 86% of the country’s bank notes were abolished
overnight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonetized 500 and 1000 rupee notes (Business
Insider, 2017). Interestingly other cash limitations and changes in fiscal policy were made shortly
after the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos in January 2017.
This paper´s research seeks to contribute new, as yet unexplored, insights to the discussion on
methods of opinion formation and manipulation in democratic societies today, with the cash abo-
lition in Germany as an example. Furthermore, it tries to determine how manipulation strategies
Introduction 9
are implemented while also exploring fiscal developments towards a cashless age. The understand-
ing of agents, proponents and profiteers of this development should help to illustrate a broader
context about how leading networks exercise their power in this age of globalisation. Furthermore,
the paper wants to understand how new measures or changes in the constitution are realised and
legitimised today, if people have no chance of participating actively in the decision-making pro-
cess (See Spiegel, 2003; Weidenfeld, 2017).
The findings of this research should help raise awareness of these techniques, and illustrate a big-
ger image of different opinions to evaluate the status quo of manipulation strategies applied in the
case of cash limitations and elimination in Germany. Furthermore, the paper seeks to demonstrate
that the abolition of cash would mean a significant turning point to the privacy of every citizen,
and is important for the understanding of global ramifications, since this development does not
represent an initiative of single nation states, but can be observed on a world-wide scale.
1.2 Research problem and significance of the research
Today´s significance of manipulation strategies particularly concerns the public relations in-
dustry, consultancy firms and representatives from the communication industry, who work for
politicians, private companies and the public sector (Gabler, 2017). Because of new, changing
conditions and values that prevail in present day, caused by globalisation development, the scope
for action changes. Agents, representatives and their responsibilities deserve a re-evaluation in the
frame of present day democratic societies, if strong capitalist interests of a few face the popula-
tion´s needs (See WEF, 2015b). What is the role of media in this relation? And what is the signif-
icance of manipulation strategies in the political communication of current democratic societies?
The case of cash abolition in Germany as a very new phenomenon will set the frame for this
research. The application of manipulation strategies in this field has not been examined until now
and the study´s results open a new field of research which lay the ground for further studies. As a
result of the global and interdisciplinary character of the study, the findings are relevant for other
fields, such as sociology, economy or law, as well as a contribution to fields including politics,
media, and communications.
Introduction 10
1.3 Structure of thesis
The thesis is divided into seven parts. Following the initial introduction to outline the topic, con-
ceptual frameworks which are essential to understand the research, are discussed. Since there is
no adequate model for the illustration of manipulation techniques used in the political communi-
cation in democratic societies today, the research requires a new exemplary draft. This is explained
in chapter 3, Conclusions and Model of this work. The model “Methods of Manipulation” will
help to analyse the findings against the backdrop of the model at the end of this paper. Chapter 4
explains all the processes, from planning and organizing to conducting the research. Starting from
the research´s engine – the research´s questions and hypothesis – which build the basis for the
applied methodology – data collection techniques are explained. Since the approach of methodo-
logical triangulation demanded different data collection strategies, all three data sources should be
presented here. The analysis of data from different sources against the backdrop of the research´s
theory – the Model of Manipulation Methods – is illustrated in chapter 5, and is followed by a
discussion of the results in chapter 6. The summarizing chapter 7 leaves space for final conclusions
and suggestions for improvements.
Conceptual frameworks of research 11
2 Conceptual frameworks of the research
This chapter gives an overview of the three most significant conceptual frame-
works that build the theoretical grounds for this research. Understanding the current context of
each concept helps to clarify how these three concepts are understood and interpreted in this re-
search. The background information and context of global, European and German war on cash
illustrates the circumstances that allow such developments, besides an overview of agents, their
arguments and steps that are taken to further promote a cashless future. The second concept pro-
vides an insight into the media´s practice and its function in a democratic state, with a focus on
German media context. A closer look at the functions and work of the media today, leads to the
last important conceptual framework: manipulation strategies in democratic societies today. Ex-
isting theories such as the Propaganda model by Herman and Chomsky will be summarized in the
last section of that chapter.
2.1 War on cash and steps towards a cashless future
Cash money´s existence in one form or another can be traced back thousands of years
(Eveleth, 2015). Humans acknowledged paper money throughout history for different reasons, and
even in present day it is used for over 85% of all transactions worldwide” (Desjardin, 2017).
This section illustrates the status of cash money and will outline money´s function in the
present day. As a starting point, the development towards a cashless future and arguments of agents
that support the “war on cash” should clarify current steps that are taken to push this plan ahead.
The oppositional viewpoint and their arguments, which are presented afterwards will help to ap-
proach a balanced overview of each side. Finally, consequences that relate to such a plan, as well
as the opportunities for consumers will be presented.
The following two parts on Global war on cash (chapter 2.1.1) and European war on cash and
cash abolition in Germany (chapter 2.1.2) describe the status of the war on cash around the world,
in Europe as well as in Germany.
Give me control of a nation's money
and I care not who makes the laws.
–– Mayer Amschel Rothschild, founder of the Rothschild banking dynasty2, 1838
For the understanding of today´s cashless development, it´s fundamental to understand money´s
function in a society and to examine the chronology of the establishment of international financial
institutions.
Throughout history we can differentiate three types of money (Horstmann & Mann, 2016, p. 85):
gold, silver and other precious metals (19th century);
folding money/covered physical/cash money (20th century); and
fiat money/uncovered cash money (today).
This always fulfilled the following functions to be valued as such (Otte, 2016, p. 33):
store of purchasing power;
money as a means of exchange; and
and calculating scale.
The economist Max Otte (2016) states that it does not matter, whether physical money is covered
by gold, nor if a central bank is owned publically or privately if the previous three functions of
money are fulfilled, everything can become money (Ibid.).
The following list of international financial institutions shows which global financial insti-
tution were developed over time, and are responsible for today´s production and management of
money. First approaches of globalizing the financial world can be traced to events like World War
I, the Great Depression in the 1930 ́s, and World War II. Major outcomes of the Bretton woods
conference in 1914 were:
the establishment of the International Monetary Fund (IMF); and
2
In: “The Creature from Jekyll Island” (Griffin, 1994, p. 218)
the establishment of the World Bank to oversee the international monetary system.
A next significant decision was made in:
fixing the US dollar to the gold standard, where the US dollar became the world ́s reserve
(leading) currency;
The Federal Reserve Act was signed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913 and founded the
US´ Central Bank, “a decentralized central bank that balanced the competing interests of pri-
vate banks and populist sentiment” (FED 2017). The economist Nobert Häring explains that
the Federal Reserve Bank (FED) is privately owned, and has as a central bank the right to
create unlimited money if necessary (See 2016, pp. 72-76).
The right to create money is of immense significance. Central banks like the FED can create end-
lessly amounts of money (Ibid.), and produce new values that float the market. It’s the financial
acceleration that caused an unbearable indebtedness (Otte, 2016, p. 42).
Another early international, financial institution, is the Bank for International Settlement (BIS),
which was founded in 1930 and is today ́s oldest financial institution with “60 member central
banks, representing countries from around the world that together make up about 95% of world
GDP.” (BIS, 2015). The Bank for International Settlement is the so-called bank of the banks, re-
sponsible for financial and monetary stability and “fosters international cooperation in those areas”
(BIS, 2017).
The Special Drawing Rights (SDR) issued in 1969 by the IMF, are a supplementary international
reserve asset (IMF, 2017) and can be described as the precursor to a new global currency (El-
Erian, 2017). “The SDR is simply a basket of other fiat currencies –the US dollar, the euro, the
Chinese renminbi, the Japanese yen, and the British pound sterling” (Giambruno, 2017).
In a working paper of the United Nations (UN) in 2012, the authors already draw on the signifi-
cance of the special drawing rights in the future monetary system and confirm “[…] SDRs should
become a more relevant instrument of international monetary cooperation. […]. This approach
would correct basic deficiencies of the current global monetary system.” (UN, 2012). Since the
global elite has an interest in issuing a global currency, another economic crisis like in 1928 or
2008 would bring the perfect excuse for introducing a global currency (Casey International
Man, 2016).
Also, the World Economic Forum (WEF), where leaders from governments, business and
media come together to discuss issues of the global political and economic agenda, have an interest
in pushing the vision of a cashless society forward (Häring, 2016, p. 93). They have also expressed
the significance of the SDR´s in headlines of articles in 2015 “Why the moment has come for
special drawing rights” (WEF, 2015a) and earlier in 2014 “Why the world needs a new currency”
(WEF, 2014). They argue “the solution, however, lies not in replacing the dollar with the renminbi,
but in strengthening the role of the world’s only truly global currency: the IMF’s Special Drawing
Rights” (Ibid.). After this year´s meeting in Davos, measures to eliminate paper money were im-
mediately implemented by several governments. The CEO of Deutsche Bank as well as Norway´s
largest bank DNB made a plea for the abolition of cash (Casey Research, 2016; Independent,
2016).
The author Nick Giambruno tells Casey Research in an interview that shortly after the
conference the war on cash was accelerated. The denomination of high currency notes was dis-
cussed immediately in articles from The Economist and The New York Times. Also, authorities
like the CEO of Deutsche Bank John Cryan proclaimed that cash is inefficient, and will be abol-
ished in the next years (Handelsblatt, 2016). Furthermore, the head of the Japanese central bank
dictated negative interest rates for the first time, shortly after the meeting in Davos (Casey Re-
search, 2016). Nobel prize-winner Joseph Stiglitz who attended the meeting this year (2017) an-
nounced that “the US should get rid of cash and move to a digital currency” (WEF, 2017), and is thus
following his accomplice Kenneth Rogoff3, who was one of the first to mention idea of a cashless
future in Germany in 2014. Rogoff argues for limiting cash worldwide (Horst-
mann & Mann, 2016, pp. 108-110; Otte 2016, p. 13) Just one year after Rogoff´s statement, Wolf-
gang Schäuble, German finance minister and former interior minister (home secretary) proposed
to limit cash transactions to €5000 (Otte, 2016, p. 14).
Besides banks and Central Banks, governments and NGO´s (Häring, 2016, pp. 36-38),
other stakeholders that fight for cash limitations are suppliers of electronic payment services, e-
commerce companies and data leeches, as well as politicians (Otte, 2016, pp. 16-18.). Norbert
Häring gives concrete names of supporters of the war on cash, and lists Mario Draghi, Ken Rogoff,
Larry Summers, Mario Monti, Romano Prodi, and Philipp Hildebrandt, which are connected
3
Norbert Häring (*1963) is a German economic journalist and holds a doctorate in economics. He is one of the
greatest defenders of cash abolition in Germany. Nobert Häring writes since 2002 for the German daily newspaprer
Handelsblatt (Häring, 2017c).
through an extensive network, called Group of Thirty. The network also includes the MIT (Mas-
sachusetts Institute of Technology), Harvard, Goldman Sachs, the EU commission, and Bilderberg
conference, and mentioned financial international institutions like IMF and World Bank
(Häring, 2016, pp. 46-47). The networks structure is tight, and as many responsible people hold
positions in more than one economic and/or political office, the symbiotic relation of agents from
economy and politics in Germany today is apparent (Häring, 2016, p. 53).
Otte says that an “unproductive parasitic caste” is governing the current financial sector. Po-
litical leaders were guided by the pressure of the finance branch4 and temptations of donations, so
that speculations could go on (2016, pp. 29-30).
Today´s financial environment is unsetteling. The Western nations and Japan are
close to bankruptcy and the nations’ debts have reached the highest levels ever. The previous fi-
nancial crisis in 2008 and showed that a reboot is unavoidable (Otte, 2016, pp. 42-44), and the
finance sector has the right to print electronic which is not covered with physical money
(Wagenknecht, 2016, p. 210). It does not matter whether physical money is covered by gold nor
if a central bank is owned publically or privately, if three functions of money are fulfilled, every-
thing can become money (Otte, 2016, p. 33). Financial crises, such as in Greece, have illustrated
that no matter what scenario takes place, individuals are expropriated, if they cannot access their
liquid assets.
The proponents for a cashless future would argue that cash serves criminal activities, such
as money laundering, tax evasion, the black market, terrorism, and drug dealing. These criminal
activities can be reduced if cash is limited or abolished. Other reasons that are presented as sup-
porting arguments for the abolition of cash range from cashless transactions are easier, faster, more
efficient to cash is unhygienic and causes long queues at the cashier (Otte, 2016, p. 11; Häring,
2016, pp. 32-36). In accordance with globalisation development and the production of (technolog-
ical) innovations, cashless transactions, e.g. online banking, mobile payment services (Apple Pay),
intermediaries like Paypal and other payment technologies are new methods of realizing cashless
transactions. In 2010, 285.2 billion cashless transactions were recorded and by 2015 this figure
nearly doubled (426.3 billion) (Desjardin, 2017).
4Especially powerful are huge banks and financial market participants from the US east coast. Goldman Sachs
builds the centre of this network, and the newcomer investment company Blackrock (Otte, 2016, p. 30).
The physical weight of large volumes of paper currency for criminal activities, is one argument
used to support the transitioning to a cashless society. Also, costs for handling, storing and trans-
porting cash could be reduced, and reporting would be easier, according to advocates of cashless
systems. Proponents like central banks, companies and politicians argue that a cashless future
would also give more supervision of the economy to regulators (See Häring 2016, pp. 36-38, 40-
45; Otte 2016, pp. 17-19, 29-30). If money can be traced, it is easier to set up tax revenues. If cash
does not exist, a third-party is automatically involved and able to control all transactions. Central
banks can manipulate the financial market and can direct and dictate interest rates to manage in-
flation. These policies are today usually known as Zero Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP) or Negative
Interest Rate Policy (NIRP) (See Desjardin, 2017).
Money is coined liberty
–– Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 1861
Oppositional voices argue that money´s function as a means of purchasing power is lost in
the context of a cashless future. They claim that physical money prevents negative interest rates,
which can be dictated by central banks (Schulten, 2016). While some posit a cashless society
would combat criminality and reduce tax evasion, those arguments can be countered when point-
ing to the increasing problem of cyber-crime. Additionally, the transfer of property and assets is
possible electronically. Proponents of cash state that personal privacy is in danger (Häring, 2016,
pp. 88, 92-94, 103-105; Horstmann & Mann, 2016; Schulten, 2016;). Citizens become transparent,
whereas tax management of international cooperation’s remain opaque (See Schulten,
2016; Häring, 2017d).
The use of cash preserves personal freedom and privacy as cash transactions do not leave elec-
tronic footprints. In contrast, a cashless future would mean that one could access and control all
outgoings easily and find out everything about a person instantaneously. If you have a chronic
illness, engage in marital indiscretion, or have financial connections to offenders
(Häring, 2016, pp. 9-11.). The freedom of consuming and living uninhibited maintains an individ-
ual´s privacy and constitutes a significant personal right, or as Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky
expressed: “Money is coined liberty” (1861). Total transparency and surveillance of all activities
and financial transactions, as well as complete dependency on third parties (banks) to access per-
sonal assets are the consequences everyone must face in a cashless future. Worse scenarios, such
as health insurances refusing to pay certain (medical) treatments, because of a supposedly un-
healthy lifestyle are imaginable consequences of cashless societies (Häring, 2016, pp. 13-14).
In a cashless world we are deprived of our liberty and become defenceless subjects to state and
corporate companies. We become “slaves of the banks” (Otte, 2016, p.12) and banks in bank-
ruptcy could reset the currency system by means of expropriation (Otte, 2016, pp. 12-13).
Furthermore, basic democratic values such as the personal freedom of choosing between payment
methods, and the right to privacy are seriously threatened (Schulten, 2016a). People would not be
able to store their assets outside the system, and consumers would become object to bail-in sce-
narios and could be barred, frozen or expropriated by the governments (Häring, 2016; Desjar-
din, 2017). In case of extreme monetary events, people would have less fewer options to respond
to inflation and deflation (Ibid.).
The most likely and logical consequences of a life in a cashless society are:
Taxation would become easier. The resulting inequality of opportunities because of nega-
tive interest rates which disadvantage savers and foster social inequality through unfair
redistribution of wealth, contradict the basic guidelines of democratic values.
Increased guidance and coordination, caused by increasing surveillance and control, would
enhance consumption.
Arguably, many would be so intimidated by full transparency and surveillance that it would
encourage barter transactions and become significant in the future (Schulten, 2016).
2.1.1 Global war on cash5
America’s Quiet War on Cash Fuels Banker Power: ʽCracking Down On Paper Moneyʼ
(Bradley, 2016)
Crime, terrorism and tax evasion: why banks are waging war on cash
5
Since discussions about cash limitations are relatively new, the concept of cash abolishment is used in the sense of
cash limitations and for the description of changeover towards cashless transactions and use of new digital currencies.
(The Guardian 2016)

War On Cash Escalates: China Readies Digital Currency, IMF says “Extremely benefi-
cial” (Durden, 2016)
War On Cash ALERT — EU Now Pushing “Restrictions On Payments In Cash

(Bernish, 2017)
RED ALERT: Is INDIA's War On Cash Part of A GLOBAL Central Banking Experiment?
(Matai, 2017)
That the global war on cash is well and truly underway as illustrated by the above international
news headlines.
One example is the aforementioned decision by the Indian government to ration currency in No-
vember 2016 when 86% of bank notes were abolished overnight6 (SMI, 2017; BBC, 2016). Coun-
tries like Singapore, Australia, Venezuela, the U.S., and the European Central Bank have also
proposed to eliminate high denomination notes. The People´s Bank of China wants “to issue a
digital currency of its own”, and Ecuador, the Philippines and Canada expressed similar ideas
(Bloomberg View, 2017). While South Korea plans to abolish physical money entirely by 2020
(Desjardin, 2017), and the sale of used second-hand goods was recently declared illegal in the US
state of Louisiana (Asset, 2017).
2.1.2 European war on cash and cash abolition in Germany
European countries such as France, Sweden and Greece have plan to add restrictions to the size of
cash transactions by reducing ATMs in the countryside, or limiting the amount of cash that can be
held outside of the banking system. Northern European countries, including Sweden are said to be
the pioneers forging a cashless future (KTH, 2015). With slogans such as “cash – the blood in the
6
500 and 1000 Rupee notes were withdrawn from circulation: New 500 Rupee notes were introduced and distribut-
ed by banks, and instead of 1000 Rupee notes, new 2000 Rupee notes have been introduced (WEF, 2017).
veins of criminals” Scandinavian nations raise distrust among their citizens in bank notes and coins
(Gamischell, 2010).
The subsequent list of countries provides an overview of cash abolition developments in Europe
(Asset, 2017):
Sweden: Most banks and supermarkets no longer accept cash. Sweden has dictated a neg-
ative key interest rate and launched various effective media campaigns, such as “Cashless
free now!” or “Cash is only needed by your grandmother – and the bank robber”.
Denmark: Cash transactions are permitted up to 50 thousand kronor (approx. 6700€).
Since January 2016, small shops and petrol stations are not obliged to accept cash. The
Danish central bank announced it ceased printing bank notes by the end of 2016, outsourc-
ing the production to Finland.
United Kingdom: The largest denomination available is the 50-pound note. Since June
2016, automated ticket machines on London Underground stations do not accept the 50
pound note as tender.
Belgium: The permitted cash amount was reduced from €5000 to €300 in the past three
years.
Italy: Since 2012, cash transactions that exceed €1000 are legally forbidden.
France: The upper limit for cash transactions has been drastically reduced from €3000 to
€1000 in the last few years.
Greece: Cash transactions over €1500 are not allowed, if any of the contracting parties
operates commercially.
Spain: Since 2012, cash transactions are permissible up to €2500.
Switzerland: To tackle money laundering, the legal limit is 100,000 CHF (approx.
€90,800) for single transactions.
War on cash in Germany
Wolfgang Schäuble, current minister of the Federal Ministry of Finance urged for a limit of €5000
for cash transactions in Germany. In December 2016, the ECB decided to abolish the €500 note
and cease printing (See Horstmann & Mann, 2016, p. 15). First reported instances of banks refus-
ing to accept coins and charges for the use of such were reported (DWN, 2017b).
In contrast to other European countries where citizens use electronic payment more frequently
than cash, current studies show that German citizens are more conservative and consider cash still
as king (Wiwo, 2016b). They value cash primarily for its function as a currency, but also signifi-
cantly for its function as a unit of value (Häring, 2016; BZ, 2017).
Paragraph 14, 1 of the Bundesbank Act of the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as the EU
treaty state that cash is the legal tender of payment (Häring, 2016).
Hans-Jürgen Papier, former president of the Federal Constitutional Court, regards cash abolition
as unconstitutional (Deutsche Bundesbank, 2016c; Wiwo, 2016a).
2.2 Role of media in a democratic society
Whatever we know about our society, or indeed about the world in which we live, we know
through the mass media. (Luhmann, 2000, p. 1)
Since this research focusses on manipulation strategies applied in democratic societies, it is fun-
damental to investigate the role and function of the mass media in the present day. The mass me-
dia´s activities in Germany regarding the abolition of cash will help to reflect on the responsibility
of the media as a knowledge producer and mediator in a democratic society. The media´s tasks in
a functioning democracy are (BpB, 2016a):
to inform: the media should provide information about political programs, consumer
goods, and cultural developments;
to help form an opinion: provide a free and open forum for majority and minority voices;
and
to control: to be able to criticize and identify grievances in society, and report them.
These key functions of the media in Germany can be applied to the core areas of society
(BpB, 2016a):
Politics: media should create a public (space), articulate opinions, control and criticise,
participate and activate.
Economy: consumption and consumer information are at the heart of the media´s focus. It
is important to note that the media is an active participant (e.g. developing new devices
and applications). The Federal Agency for Civic Education states that if staff members of
the media are respected, a significant value-chain is created.7
Cultural and social affairs: The media´s practice in this societal field serves the orientation
and counselling of life. They can mediate values and norms and integrate them.
The official frame for the German media´s practice can be found in Article 5 of the German con-
stitution8.
Mass media plays a significant role developing a political discourse between the population and
political leaders – it plays an extraordinary role in a democratic context, laying the foundation for
an appropriate dialogue between the government and public (See BpB, 2010, p. 4). Therefore, we
can speak of the public opinion and space of public sphere. Citizens of a democracy can and should
participate in the process of decision-making and must be informed about important political issues
and discussions through the media. But many political events are complex and rather discussed in
the background, such as in committees, away from the public eye. The media can zoom in on this
and explain the different positions (BpB, 2016a). The task of investigative journalists is to inform
citizens about current developments and warn them about undesirable developments (Ibid.).
In the course of globalization, values and societal norms are changing. Economic rules domi-
nate the scope for action, therefore the colonisation of media, also labelled as mediacracy, (Kurtz
1998; Meyer, 2002, pp. XV, 49-51; Ziolonka, 2015, p. 73) has been raised as an issue by various
authors who re-evaluate the media´s function in a democratic state9. The colonisation of media as
a product of symbiosis of politics and media (Meyer, 2002, pp. Xf., Xiii, 93), consequently influ-
ences processes such as knowledge production and distribution in a society, and creates a new
reality (BpB, 2012), which could be described as an interest-oriented approach that cannot be ob-
jective.
7
The relation of media and economic interest is explicitly mentioned by the Federal Agency for Civic Education in
Germany (BpB, 2016a).
8
Every person shall have the right to freely express and disseminate his/her opinions in speech, writing and pictures,
and to inform himself/herself without hindrance from generally accessible sources. Freedom of the press and freedom
of reporting by means of broadcasts and films shall be guaranteed. There shall be no censorship. (Article 5, Constitu-
tional Law of the Federal Republic of Germany)
This cultural phenomenon is also called a media crisis, a media concentration that influences the
news coverage, because of economic constraints that prevail in this capitalist (See Bon-
fadelli, 2016).
The author Thomas Meyer speaks about the effects of these new, prevailing values that determine
interactions and direct the actions of all participants in politics and media. He determines this as
the mass media’s new logic, and states: “When it comes to political communications in the media,
media actors must take deliberate, sophisticated measures to achieve a more balanced synthesis of
media logic of actual political affairs.” (2002, 27). He sets three markers for how information is
filtered by the media´s daily work:
1) News values: e.g. prominent people, conflicts, closeness to population, completed act, etc.
2) The rules of stage managing: such as storytelling, dramatisation, etc. (borrowed from the
theatre).
3) Pictures: presentation of pictures. Pictures and images are more affective than text and
determine the selection of presented information in political communication
(BpB, 2012; Meyer, 2002, pp.27-48).
The application of filters demonstrates that today´s prevailing values in the work of the media are
determined by the profit-oriented interest of getting people´s attention. The selection and produc-
tion of information through the application of filters (as the media´s guidance) reveals that the
subsequent manufactured reality is in stark contrast to the democratic approach of pluralistic
views, opinions, etc. (BpB, 2012)
German author Uwe Krüger explains how the network and participants work in his disser-
tation “Meinungsmacht: Der Einfluss von Eliten auf Leitmedien und Alpha-Journalisten – Eine
kritische Netzwerkanalyse” (The power of opinion: the influence of elite media and alpha jour-
nalism – a critical network analysis). He draws a detailed picture of the present day German media
landscape, which is known as embedded journalism10. For more information about the German
10For detailed information about embedded journalism and German media´s work and structure, see Krüger, 2007,
2013.
media network, participants and landscape see Krüger 2013. Silke Adam & Barabara Pfetsch de-
tect the mass media’s players in their book “Massenmedien als politische Akteure. Konzepte und
Analysen” (2008)11 and analyse the importance of the mass media in the political process.
Besides Thomas Meyer, other authors such as Niklas Luhmann with his theory of mass
media, Edward Bernays´ Propaganda (1928) or Walter Lippmann (Public Opinion, 1922), elabo-
rated on the effect the media has on public opinion. The agenda setting theory, which was intro-
duced by Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw in 1972 assumes that media sets the public agenda,
thus what people should think about.
PR agencies and other consulting firms are of significance since their primary objective is
to form and promote concepts, ideas and opinions of an individual or group (See BpB, 2011; Ga-
bler, 2017).
In their book “Auf leisen Sohlen ins Gehirn. Politische Sprache und heimliche Macht”12 (2008),
Cognitive linguists, professor George Lakoff and Elisabeth Wehling explain the connection be-
tween cognitive science and linguistics and their influence on political communication. Language
is used to create metaphors and therefore frame concepts. Our understanding of world affairs is
subtly influenced by deliberately using specific language to create images, frame concepts and
stimulate emotions. “Metaphors can be used in communication to decide how the receiver should
perceive a situation. Language can be used as a selective instrument to influence the receiver´s
perception”13 (Lakoff & Wehling, 2008, p. 30).
The German Federal Agency for Civic Education states that “where opinions are shaped by mass
media, propaganda is not far away” (BPB, 2017), and that “propaganda and manipulation are very
close” (BpB, 2007). The mass media´s significant role in producing (public) knowledge, the public
discourse and therefore a public sphere in present day societies, should be emphasised once more14.
11
Translation of title: Mass Media as political players – concepts and analyses
12
Translation of Title: “On quiet soles into the mind. Political language and secret power”
13
original Quote: Diejenige Metapher, deren wir uns in der Sprache bedienen, bestimmt zu einem großen Teil, wie
unser Gegenüber die Situation wahrnimmt. Sprache kann also als selektives Instrument eingesetzt werden: Wir
können durch metaphorischen Sprachgebrauch regelrecht in das Gehirn unseres Gegenübers gelangen und bestim
men, wie er eine Sache oder Situation begreift (Lakoff &Wehling, 2008, p. 30).
14
The importance of media as a number one knowledge producer in democratic societies today should also be
stressed in relation to Michel Foucault’s approach in Power/Knowledge. The power of the mass media to produce
knowledge, concepts, and values in a society and therefore form the opinions of a majority must be acknowledged,
as these subtle mechanisms of knowledge acquisition are often underestimated.
In“The Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media”, Noam Chom-
sky and Edward S. Herman outline the Propaganda Model, which focuses on power structures in
the (mass) media that allow the manufacturing of consent (See Lippmann, 1922). In their opinion,
the function of mass media is to “amuse, entertain, and inform and to inculcate individuals with
the values, beliefs, and codes of behaviour that will integrate them into the institutional structures
of the larger society.” (Chomsky & Herman, 1988, p. 1). To explain how this works, five filters
can be applied to analyse (biased) power structures in the media landscape. These can be traced
back to powerful elite networks and agents from all domains of society that support and produce
one-sided news coverage in the media (Chomsky & Herman, 1988). The authors Timo Stollen-
werk (2002) and Uwe Krüger (2013) attempted to apply the Propaganda Model to the German
media landscape, and compared the US-American and German setting and context for the appli-
cation of Chomsky´s and Herman´s Propaganda Model. Since this research seeks to analyse the
methods applied to political communication in the present day (of democratic societies), the Prop-
aganda Model, even though applicable for this research, would not help to answer the research´s
question: Which manipulation strategies and techniques are used today in Germany to manipulate
and influence people´s opinion?
In her model, The Hidden Persuaders - Techniques of hidden/covert argumenta-

tion (2016), Maren Müller (Ständige Publikumskonferenz der öffentl.-rechtlichen Medien) pro-
vides a detailed description of how argumentation lines are built and in which ways language can
be used to subtly influence people (Fig. 1, See Appendices A1).
2.3 Manipulation strategies and cash abolition in Germany
Only those who are able to recognise propaganda will be able to resist it.15
(BpB, 2011)
So states the title of an article of the Federal Agency for Civic Education in which they explain
the meaning of propaganda “… as the attempt of a targeted influence on thinking, acting, and
15
original Quote: „Nur wer Propaganda als solche erkennt, kann sich dagegen wehren“ (BpB, 2011)
feeling of a human being. The ones making use of propaganda, always pursue a target“
(BpB, 2011).
Furthermore:
It is typical of propaganda that certain aspects of an issue are not clearly presented and opinions and infor-
mation are intertwined. Those utilising propaganda do not want to argue or convince others with arguments.
Instead they seek to emotionally manipulate people, for instance with threats or by angering them or articu-
lating other promises. Propaganda takes away the ability to think for yourself and replaces it with the feeling
of being right by adopting the popular opinion (BpB, 2011).16
Throughout history propaganda has been utilised by authorities and regimes to attain and/or main-
tain power and must be acknowledged as an effective tool of “conscious and intelligent” formation
of opinions (Bernays, 1928, p. 9).
Stakeholders developed different strategies to push forward the plan of limiting cash. The
strategic approach restricting the usage of cash in countries with the least resistance is one way to
transition to cash abolition (Häring, 2016, pp. 31-32), as well as the implementation of negative
interest rates (Häring, 2016, p. 13), so that people lose the incentive to use cash. Another method
is to charge of cash withdrawal fees (Häring, 2016, p. 31). The promotion of new technologies and
payment systems based on the convincing line of argument that electronic transactions are easier
and more efficient, have prompted lawmakers to posit that all transactions should now be digi-
tal (Desjardin, 2017). The stimulation of negative feelings, particularly of fear, support the argu-
ment that cash money serves criminal activities, and as such should be restricted. The general
public is intimidated with infringements and feels threatened by criminal activities (money laun-
dering, corruption, terrorism, etc.) (See Häring, 2016, pp. 30, 35). The IMF´s working paper “The
macroeconomics of de-cashing” by Alexei Kireyev, presents and promotes advantages of a cash-
less future and recommends and explains to governments the strategy of convincing the population
of limiting cash transactions (IMF, 2017).
16
original Quote: “Charakteristisch für Propaganda ist, dass sie die verschiedenen Seiten einer Thematik nicht dar-
legt und Meinung und Information vermischt. Wer Propaganda betreibt, möchte nicht diskutieren und mit Argumen-
ten überzeugen, sondern mit allen Tricks die Emotionen und das Verhalten der Menschen beeinflussen, beispiels-
weise indem sie diese ängstigt, wütend macht oder ihnen Verheißungen ausspricht. Propaganda nimmt dem Men-
schen das Denken ab und gibt ihm stattdessen das Gefühl, mit der übernommenen Meinung richtig zu liegen.“
(BpB, 2011).
Conclusions and Model 26
3 Conclusions and Model
The model Methods of Manipulation is the result of the work with Albrecht Müller17 (See
expert interviews, chapter 4.2.1). The initial intention to work with Noam Chomsky´s and Edward
S. Herman´s Propaganda Model (1988) as the theoretical basis for this study was revised by the
need for a model that illustrates manipulation techniques applied in the political communication
of democratic societies today.
At first Maren Müller´s model (2016) appears too complex to understand, and since ac-
knowledging that the Propaganda Model while applicable, is not the most appropriate one for
these research questions, a satisfactory and applicable illustration was needed, one which presents
current manipulation strategies and techniques in an elementary fashion.
After conducting an interview with Albrecht Müller, an expert in manipulation strategies, the idea
to draft a model to his extensive work on manipulation techniques materialised. Albrecht Müller
agreed that there is a need for a model for manipulation strategies, which illustrates all methods in
a compressed way. After detailed discussions on the logical relation of elements in the model and
the revision of the manipulation methods, which he presents and describes in his book “Mein-
ungsmache” (2009), we agreed on the model´s structure and content. The model as the theoretical
basis of this research (Fig. 2) summarizes the manipulation methods applied in democratic socie-
ties, and strategic approaches of the senders behind these techniques.
17
Albrecht Müller is one of the experts who agreed to an interview and provided his knowledge and experience for
this research. Mr. Müller is an economist and publisher of the website NachDenkSeiten. He is a former SPD (Social
Democratic Party of Germany) politician, and was from 1970 to 1972 head of the Department for Public Relations
of the SPD. From 1973 onwards, he was Head of Planning in the Federal Chancellery under the chancellors Willy
Brandt and Helmut Schmidt.
Fig. 2: Model of Manipulation Methods (Müller & Achmedowa 2017b)18
The senders, on the left, want to send a message to the recipients on the right, mostly the public.
The sender provides the political information its first direction and connotation, by considering
their intentions and objective. The first column of the model Intention/Objective is directly related
to the sender and reflects the political objective of politicians or authorities. The chosen strategy
determines how an issue is going to be approached by the senders. Which strategy/message or
medium can be used to promote ideas or positions that support the implementation of one´s (polit-
ical) objective. If we think of the example of power retention in today´s globalised age, the creation
of enemy images is one way of degrading an opposition or political enemy and upgrading one´s
own position19. Also, other strategies like the TINA principle (There is no alternative) set off a
good starting point for the implementation of further manipulation methods. The announcement
18
The German Original (Fig. 3) can be found in the Appendices (A2)
19In present day Germany (since the terrorist attacks in the US on 11 September 2011), we are frequently confront-
ed with the enemy images of the “fundamentalist and violent Muslim”, as well as the Russian nemesis, who is up for
confrontation.
of the message There Is No Alternative can help to create a mood of acceptance (no resistance), as
no promised alternatives are in sight.
The Methods of Manipulation were collected by Albrecht Müller over the past decades and repre-
sent a collection of 15 techniques applied in political communication in Germany. These tech-
niques can be found in various formats depending on the political issue and intention/objective of
the sender. According to Albrecht Müller, the most popular method is the method of repetition. If
all leading personalities from politics, economy, sciences and media tell us that globalisation is a
totally new phenomenon and demography is our (the German citizens’) greatest concern, what
should the population think? (Müller, 2009, p. 127). If nobody contradicts this, why should one
not believe? If people and authorities from different societal domains agree (without exception)
on issues, topics and problems, and repeat the same message repeatedly, the majority of the pop-
ulation can be convinced about its truth. The combination of repetition and dominance is an iner-
rant method to anchor a message in the mind (2009, p. 128). If a message or opinion is coming
from different corners, the effect of manipulative conviction can be intensified. Albrecht Müller
states that it was important that not only German political parties such as the CDU/CSU and FDP
agreed on the Federal Army´s operations outside the NATO region, but also that other parties such
as the SPD and Bündnis 90/die Grünen (Alliance 90/the Greens) gave their consent20.
Opinions are also shaped by using specific language. Evaluation and connotations are expressed
with language, so that language and its subtle implications are also abused to sway the public’s
opinion. For instance, the word “reform” was viewed in a positive light by German chancellors
Willi Brandt (1969–74) and Helmut Schmidt (1974–82). In the social liberal era of the 1970s–80s
“reform” meant a change in favour of the majority of the population, whereas today it is mostly
used to achieve modifications in favour of the upper class (Müller, 2009, p. 129). Transferring an
opinion into a group-specific slang is another way of influencing opinions. This method is a more
explicit version of the previous method: specific language use. Specific jargon can be used as a
tool to form groups and to influence people´s opinion (2009, p. 130). Albrecht Müller explains
that anybody who wants to influence and manipulate opinions must perform affirmatively. No
doubts should remain about one´s own theses, decisions, as well as way of moving and acting.
This is particularly true if the reality shows a different picture. But one has good chances of getting
20
The different German parties represent opposing political orientations. The similar point of view from different
parties generates a true picture, which is regarded easily as the truth). The unanimous opinion of different parties
supports the impression of a more “objective” evaluation of the situation and approach.
through, if one has good allies. Among other examples, the author explains that former US-
president George W. Bush (Jr.) was a Master of the affirmative method, genuinely denying the
reality of the Iraq war and its victims. The author drafts the three rules one should follow in order
to achieve an affirmative performance (Müller, 2009, pp. 132-133).
Firstly, the implausible always works out. Although this approach contradicts the nature of
things, it bears the greatest probability of achievement if one is convinced and acting without
doubts.
The second rule says that one should always stay in the offensive position and never go into
the defensive position.
Finally, one should never enter a discussion. The rejection of a discussion makes the opponent
nervous.
Another method used to influence opinions lies in the accountability of experts. To prove that a
message is incorrect, one must rely on experts. The opinion of an expert implies a theoretical
reliability; the (psychological) effect of which is often abused. For the promotion of results from
(practical) policy, the opinions of experts play an extraordinary role, especially from economic
business professionals.
Another method of opinion formation is called pars pro toto. The validity of a part is extended to
universal validity. The validity of fact is evaluated as universally applicable and bears the effect
of being accepted by the mass as the general truth.
The creation of fear is a well-known tool used for centuries by various authorities to manipulate
and control people. The terror attacks on 11th September 2011 demonstrate the sustainable impact
and effect such events can have (Müller, 2009, p. 135) on societies. These attacks were the basis
for passing new laws (US: USA Patriot Act, Martial Law; Germany: anti-terror-laws) and for
gaining acceptance from the masses. We encounter the use of fear (creation and promotion of fear)
as a political instrument also in modern capitalist societies as they tend to be highly efficient. These
systems must leave some space for controlling people, creating dependencies, and rendering hu-
man beings as insignificant.
The method of exaggeration (Ibid.) can be found quite often in daily life practises. Although these
exaggerations are often obvious, the method is effective since at least some part of the information
is remembered. This approach is consciously and systematically planned.
Another way of influencing people´s opinion is the method of saying B, and meaning A. The de-
sired message, in this case A, is transmitted through the announcement of another message, B
(Müller, 2009, 137). Albrecht Müller illustrates various other examples of this manipulation
method in his book “Meinungsmache” (2009, p. 137-140), and on his website “NachDenkSeiten”
(NachDenkSeiten, 2015).
A very effective tool of influencing opinions is the conflict, as a source for organizing positions.
Ideas and viewpoints can be transported through interpersonal conflicts and objective conflicts
(Müller, 2009, p. 140).
Another, well-known method which is used to subtly influence people´s opinion is withholding
information (2009, p. 141). The disclosure of information and an overlap of important events,
analysis and critiques facilitate undesired information and revelations to be hidden that could cause
public discomfiture.
The strategy of “Stop thief!” elevates one´s prestige and status by emphasising the negative qual-
ities of the opponent, the thief. In the moment of distraction, while observing the “thief”, possibil-
ities to secretly widen one´s scope of action are created.
Shortening a story also aims to eliminate parts and aspects of a story and context that may be
unfavourable for achieving the desired intention or objective, and to emphasize events that support
your own line of argument. The method´s effect often remains undiscovered by the rank and file,
and is frequently used in debates about free trade agreements, such as Comprehensive and Eco-
nomic Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
The propagandistic impact of this manipulation method takes its full effect if statements from
different senders resemble one another (See same message is coming from different corners.) The
interaction and combination of different methods of manipulation intensify the effect automati-
cally.
Last but not least, Two stories are told simultaneously. Linkages and connections are left to the
reader or audience. For instance, when the EU applied penalties against Syria (See Han-
delsblatt, 2017) the news is told in relation to previous attacks with toxic gas from the Assad Re-
gime. The two news stories of “EU penalties against Syria” and “Poisonous attacks from Syrian
Regime” are told simultaneously, so that the reader/audience connects the two stories automati-
cally. Though the question of real guilt has never been clarified in the current cases of toxic gas
attacks in Syria, the reader is left with this presentation of reality which determines the knowledge
on which he builds his opinion (Müller, 2017).
The bracket manipulative process (strategy and method) indicates that the manipulative process
starts with the draft and implementation of the strategy. Based on the aim or objective a plan of
strategy can be developed. These strategies are mostly compiled by committees, PR or other con-
sulting agencies.
The model Methods of Manipulation builds the theoretical framework of this

study and will serve Albrecht Müller for his work along with additional visual representation of
his articles for NachDenkSeiten.
Research design 32
4 Research design
Chapter 4 and 5 represent the empirical part of this thesis. The research design justifies the
methodological procedure and intends to explain the approach for answering the research´s ques-
tions in a comprehensible way.
The research is qualitative and explorative, and triangulation as a multidimensional approach for
exploring the status of application of manipulation strategies presents an appropriate way of seek-
ing answers to the research questions. For this study, data will be collected in three different ways:
expert interviews, a media analysis of German news clips to discover which image of a cashless
future is presented in the media, and finally an online survey with citizens in Germany. Since this
research follows a theory-based approach, the methods of manipulation were substantial while
analysing the data, for instance, for deductive category application in the media analysis. All find-
ings from expert interviews, the media analysis and online survey will be juxtaposed to research
questions to give answer to the hypothesis of this study, whether subtle manipulation strategies
are applied in political communication to convince German citizens of a cashless future.
The subsequent figure (Fig. 4) illustrates the Research design´s structure:
Research design 33
Strategies of manipulation in democratic societies in a globalised

age:
Transitioning to a cashless society
What is the significance of manipulation strategies in democratic

societies today?
And which manipulation methods are used in a globalised age to
convince the German citizens of a cashless future?
What is the role of media in democratic societies today?
Hypothesis: Subtle manipulation strategies of opinion formation are
applied in the political communication to convince the
German population of a cashless future.
Theoretical framework:
Model of Manipulation Methods
(Müller/Achmedowa)
Data collection (Triangulation)

Expert interviews Media content analysis Online survey
Analysis
Expert interviews Media content analysis Online survey
Findings
Fig. 4: Research design
4.1 Research Questions and Hypothesis
The aim of this research is to give an answer to the question: Which manipulation methods are
applied to convince the German population of a cashless future?
Psychological aspects in politics touch upon, among others, the topics of manipulation and
control. The question concerning political power and control, as well as how power is retained by
political authorities was already an issue in ancient civilisations and it still is in the present day. If
we consider decisions of international standard and global reach in the present day, such as the
TTIP and CETA economic agreements on the one hand, as well as people´s resistance against
Research design 34
these aspirations/ideas on the other hand, we should ask ourselves how interests are realised today,
often without popular consent, or even against the people´s will in democratic systems (See Spie-
gel, 2003; Horstmann & Mann, 62016, p. 139; Häring, 2017b; Weidenfeld, 2017). What is the
opinion of people influenced in favour of political leaders in democratic societies and what is the
significance of manipulation methods in such systems? More specifically, which manipulation
strategies are applied in the political communication of democratic states today to control people´s
beliefs and to influence their opinion?
Since public opinion is strongly shaped by the mass media (TV, radio, internet, and new forms
like social media) the role of media in democratic societies should also be investigated (See Bon-
fadelli, 2016). Using the example of cash abolition in Germany as the investigation´s objective,
this paper seeks to give an answer to the following research questions:
A: What is the significance of manipulation strategies in the political communication of

democratic societies today?
B: Which manipulation methods are utilised in a globalised age in order to convince the
population of a cashless future?
C: What is the role of the media in a democratic society?
Based on these research questions the following hypothesis was formulated, and should be proven
in this paper.
Subtle manipulation strategies of opinion formation are applied in political communication

to convince the German population of a cashless future.
The hypothesis of this research considers elements of opinion formation as fundamental in demo-
cratic societies in order to control the population’s belief and influence its opinion in favour of the
political authority. Methods of manipulation are used in the political communication of democratic
societies to subtly influence people.
Research design 35
4.2 Methodology
This chapter describes all processes relating to the data collection, and builds the foundation for
further results and insights. All steps of the chosen methodology, such as the selection of the sam-
ple group, the creation of the questionnaire and interview guide, as well as the involvement of
study participants, seek to answer the research questions and prove the hypothesis.
The difference between qualitative and quantitative approaches is a classification often used in
social sciences (Flick et al, 2000, p. 24). Although this research is rooted in qualitative nature,
when necessary different methodological approaches (including quantitative techniques) are used
to answer the research questions and prove the hypothesis of this project. The combination of
applying qualitative and quantitative methods is often labelled as a mixed method approach, which
works “… through many text passages and analysis of frequencies of categories as quantitative
step.”, such as counting specific research elements to interpret results in a qualitative way (Mayr-
ing, 2014, p. 10). This does not merely involve counting evident text elements, but implies a her-
meneutical approach for the correct interpretation and presentation of final results (Mayr-
ing, 2014, p. 28). The relatively small sample sizes of expert interviews and media content anal-
yses, the majoritarian inductive procedures, as well as the explorative research interest underline
the qualitative character of the project.
Although hypotheses can be typically found in quantitative research, the construction of the hy-
pothesis for this qualitative study is based on extensive literature review.
The methodological procedure can be best described as “triangulation”, the “combination of meth-
odologies in the study of the same phenomenon” (Denzin, 1978, p. 291). This way of combining
qualitative and quantitative methods allows a more “holistic, and contextual portrayal of the unit(s)
under study” (Jick, 1979, p. 603). In social sciences, this approach goes back to Campbell and
Fiske (1959), who presented the idea of “multiple operationalism” and argued that:
“more than one method should be used in the validation process to ensure that the variance re-
flected that of the trait and not of the method. Thus, the convergence or agreement between two
methods […] enhances our belief that the results are valid and not a methodological artefact”.
(Bouchard, 1976, p. 268).
Research design 36
For this research, methodological triangulation, expert interviews, media analysis,

and questionnaires are applied. This form of methodological triangulation is called the “in-be-
tween-method” by Denzin as opposed to “within-triangulation” (1978, p. 302).
4.2.1 Expert interviews
The determination of the methodological approach “expert interview” is considered imprecise by

theorists, as this form of interview does not really exist since ways of interviewing are usually
specified by their survey method: narrative interview, the standardized interview, or telephone
interview (Liebold & Triczek, 2009). But most theorists agree that this form of interview is re-
garded as a guideline-based expert interview. The guided expert interview is one of the most fre-
quently used methods in social research (Liebold & Triczek, 2009, p. 32). It was also an appropri-
ate method of collecting the required data.
Experts can be defined as people who have extraordinary knowledge in an area or a field and hold
a special qualification or position, or individuals who attained unusual knowledge and expertise
and have a wealth of experience in their field (Gläser & Laudel, 22006, p. 9). Expert interviews
are often used as an additional survey method in social science and can be frequently found in
combination with other examination instruments (Kaiser, 2014, p. 22). They can be either used to
explore new phenomena or to consolidate existing knowledge (Bogner, 2014, p. 22). Bogner de-
fines four forms of expert interviews, since the results from interviews (explorative or founda-
tional) can be interpreted either to evaluate the results as facts or as interpretations. He differenti-
ates between explorative interviews for gaining facts, explorative interviews for the exploration of
interpretations, systemizing interviews and theory generating expert interviews (2014, p. 23). The
expert interviews for this research are of explorative-informative nature as their main function is
to explore and inform (Ibid.).
Because of the research´s explorative nature, this method was chosen to examine the application
of manipulation methods in democratic societies such as Germany. Furthermore, the application
of manipulation strategies in the context of the transition to a cashless society (in Germany) has
never been researched because the topic only recently gained pertinence (Kaiser, 2014, p. 29), and
Research design 37
therefore needs further exploration. Meuser and Nagel (2005) further distinguish between “con-
text” and “company knowledge” to specify the experts´ experience and contribution in an inter-
view. “Company knowledge” can be described as one´s own action context, whereas “context
knowledge” refers to expert knowledge in other fields, where the experts do not act themselves.
Kaiser adds a next category of knowledge to both, which is the “interpretive knowledge”. This
form of knowledge stresses subjective priorities, such as interpretation and evaluation of the expert
regarding the solution of societal conflicts (Kaiser, 2014, p. 44).
Acquisition of interview partners
Since different fields, for which expert knowledge is useful, are touched upon in this research,
processes such as the selection and acquisition of interview partners were based mainly on the
research´s theory. Consequently, experts in the field of media and public opinion as well as public
relation in Germany were first contacted. Also, German experts in the field of cash limitation and
abolition were approached for more insight into this topical area of the research.
Since the debate about manipulation strategies applied in democratic societies is still rele-
vant, and the topic of cash limitations is more pertinent than ever, it was easy to identify current
experts. Though the research focusses on manipulation strategies, an expert on cash limitation was
first contacted. Economics journalist Dr. Norbert Häring is arguably the most qualified German
expert in the debate about international and German ‘war on cash’. Prof. Dr. Rainer Mausfeld, a
psychologist specializing in cognitive psychology, was also contacted. In his lecture “Die Angst
der Machteliten vor dem Volk – Demokratie-Management durch Soft Power-Techniken”21 he
elaborates on the methods of controlling and manipulating citizens of democratic states. Because
his research is rooted in the field of psychology, he recommended to speak to two other experts in
the field of media, manipulation and public opinion: Albrecht Müller (publisher of the website
NachDenkSeiten), and Maren Müller (Ständige Publikumskonferenz der öffentl.-rechtlichen Me-
dien). Both experts address issues such as opinion formation and strategies of manipulation in
Germany. The Psychologist Prof. Dr. Mausfeld also recommended to speak to Prof. Dr. Jörg
21
Own translation: “The elites fear the masses – managing democracy through soft power techniques”
Research design 38
Becker, political scientist and professor for media research in Solingen. Albrecht Müller and Jörg
Becker agreed to conduct an expert interview.
Interview guide
The interview guide summarizes the research interest and relevant aspects from relevant literature
(See Conceptual frameworks of the research, chapter 2). According to each interview partner and
his field of expertise, either Albrecht Müller (manipulation strategies), or Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker
(media science), fewer questions of each interview guide were developed according to their area
of specialisation. Albrecht Müller was able to provide the “company knowledge” as he was previ-
ously the head of the Public Relations Department in the German Bundestag. A semi-standardised
interview guide was developed for both interview partners to keep track of the conversations for
later analysis, and to evaluate the quality of data (Kaiser, 2014, p. 33).
The Interview guide is divided into three parts:

politics and the media;
strategies of manipulation in the context of cash limitation and abolition in Germany; and
general questions that bring together aforementioned topics and seek to open a prognosti-
cating perspective on the topic.
The question in part one on politics and media sought to find an answer to all research questions22
and to the hypothesis of this research23. The experts´ opinions on a cashless future in Germany,
the promotion in the media and agents that drive the cashless development forward should reflect
on research question B: Which manipulation strategies are applied in the political communication
of Germany today to convince the population of a cashless future? The final part of the interview
guide relates to the interpretative knowledge of both experts as they refer to future developments.
The subjective evaluation prognosis of both experts presumes their knowledge in the field of ma-
nipulation strategies, but also their personal and professional experience. All posed questions of
22
A: What is the significance of manipulation strategies in the political communication of democratic societies to-
day? B: Which manipulation methods are used in a globalised age in order to convince the people of a cashless fu-
ture? C: What is the role of media (in a democratic society) today?
23
Subtle manipulation strategies are used to convince the German population of a cashless future.
Research design 39
the interview guide can be found in the conversation protocols in the Appendices (A3 & A4). No
pretest was conducted for the interview guide, but both interview guides (sequence, understanding,
and effect of questions) were discussed in a team before the actual interview.
Both expert interviews were recorded and exist on tape for the purpose of analysis. The Skype
interview with Albrecht Müller was conducted on 28th February 2017 and the phone interview
with Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker took place on 15th March 2017.
4.2.2 Media analysis
Media content analysis is an empirical method to analyse messages in a communication process,

and was first defined by Berelson as “… a research technique for the objective, systematic and
quantitative description of the manifest content of communication” (1952, p. 18). Current content
analysis theories/theorists highlight the qualitative character of this method and define “[…] con-
tent analysis [as] an empirical method for the systematic, intersubjectively comprehensible de-
scription of technical and content-based features of messages (often with the aim of further inter-
pretative interference)” (Früh, 1998, p. 25). The content analysis of these news clips, using the
conceptual content analysis approach tries to examine all research questions that were presented
in the chapter Research questions and hypothesis.
The decision to use a media content analysis was made as the survey can be reproduced arbitrarily.
Time and costs are two other aspects that favour this methodological approach. Content analyses
are less expensive and time is a minor factor. Another reason for choosing this method is its ability
to collect data. In contrast to other methods (e.g. group discussion/interviews), social reality be-
comes less distorted as research elements are measured after the text is produced
(Höring, 2003, p. 59).
A systematic analysis of media content can be useful in politics, because presentations in the mass
media have a significant influence on decision-making, for example in the case of elections. Since
news coverage has a great impact and influence on the general public, it is of great significance.
Consequently, parties and politicians are particularly keen to influence the media coverage in fa-
vour of their own ideas and concepts (Rössler, 2010, p. 14).
Research design 40
The qualitative content analysis’s aim is to illustrate that the transitioning to a cashless society
today is presented positively in the German media coverage. Furthermore, the selection of news
clips should be analysed against the backdrop of the Model of Manipulation Methods, which was
presented as the theoretical basis for this study in Conclusions and Model, chapter 3. Since content
analyses are theory driven the Model developed within this survey serves as the theoretical ground
for analysis.
For this analysis, the selection of the sample was limited to (multimedia elements) news clips from
public broadcasters24, particularly clips from the most popular German public broadcaster, which
are accessible on the internet. To narrow the focus the news sections of broadcasters ARD and
ZDF were searched for keywords. The decision to solely search the news archive of ARD Tagess-
chau and ZDF heute was made as this represents the kind of news that is consumed by the average
German citizen, whereas a specific show or broadcast event only caters for a more selective audi-
ence. Selecting news reports on a cashless future from only the two biggest public broadcasters
was also supported by the hypothesis of this research that:
subtle manipulation methods are used to convince the German population of a cashless future.
This assumption is based on evidence that news clips, instead of specific video clips are the better
medium for implementing these methods subtly. Due to their informative nature, the news format
is regarded as an effective tool for implementing methods of opinion formation and manipulation.
Moreover, the clips were chosen through a keyword-based search on the websites of ARD Tagess-
chau and ZDF heute. To identify sections in news program of these two broadcasters that deal
with the transition to a cashless future, the keyword “cashless future”25 was chosen as less concrete
24
Public broadcasters have the task/order (See chapter Media landscape in Germany) to serve the public good and
interest. No private interests should dominate the broadcasting activities of public-law broadcasters and these send-
ers are obligated to give all German citizens the chance to participate in the free democratic process of opinion for-
mation. Furthermore, they have with their programs the responsibility to contribute to the diversity of opinions
(ARD, 2015).
25
As German news clips were examined in this content analysis, the news clips were found with the German words
“bargeldlose Zukunft”.
Research design 41
search terms, such as “cash” or “cashless” returned results relating to more general topics about
cash, debt, financial crisis etc.
Since the current debate about a cashless future (accompanied by promoting simple, cashless trans-
actions in a globalised age) is relatively new, news clips about this topic were embedded in longer
news formats ARD Tagesthemen and ZDF heute journal. The “cashless future” online clips that
were broadcasted on 11 April 2016 (ARD) and 4 May 2016 (ZDF)26 were between three and four
minutes, an appropriate length for an analysis. As this study uses the triangulation method, the
small sample size can be justified as the examination takes a qualitative and not quantitative ap-
proach. (See Deppermann, 2011, p. 28).
The transcriptions of ARD and ZDF news clips can be found in the Appendices (See Appendices
A5 & A6).
The more extensive, weekly news format of ARD Tagesthemen and ZDF heute journal (in contrast
to the daily news ARD Tagesschau and ZDF heute) “mediate additional information” (ARD, 2017)
and are approximately 30 minutes. As the news clips about a cashless future should be analysed
against the backdrop of the Model of Manipulation methods (Müller & Achmedowa, 2017b) the
categories that frame the research objective were determined in advance.
Each category was initially defined to classify elements from the transcribed texts (news) of ARD
and ZDF to the categories of manipulation methods. This approach is described as the deductive
category application. The following figure (Fig. 5) by Philipp Mayring illustrates the procedures
for applying deductive categories.
26
1) Tagesschau.de, “bargeldlose Zukunft“, News Edition: May 11th, 2016 (Time Code: 00:17:20 to 00:20:51)
2) ZDF heute journal: “bargeldlose Zukunft“, News Edition: May 04th, 2016 (Time Code: 00:16:50 to 00:20:40)
Research design 42
Fig 5.: Step model of deductive category application (Mayring 2000)
The prior definition of categories is based on literature research and knowledge about the topic
(See Conceptual frameworks of the research and Conclusions and Model, chapter 2 and 3). While
defining and coding the 15 manipulation methods it became apparent that it is impossible to es-
tablish an operationalisation (Table 5) for the three categories K.10, K. 13, and K. 15. The methods
“saying B, meaning A” (K.10), “Stop thief!” (K.13), and “Two stories are told simultaneously”
(K.15) were not applicable to the debate and context of a “cashless future” (See Appendices A7).
Firstly, because the discussion about cash limitation has not been going on long enough to present
the (chronological) development of different viewpoints within the debate (“Two stories are told
simultaneously”). Secondly, because of the short chronology of the debate about a cashless soci-
ety, most people do not have an overview of different opinions concerning this topic, or established
(enemy) images that could be used to manipulate, for instance by applying the method of “Stop
thief!” or “saying B, meaning A”. The most appropriate, selected definition for the 12 categories
that should be examined is approved by Albrecht Müller.
Research design 43
The 12 methods of Manipulation and the category “Positive presentation of a cashless future” were
defined and applied to assign text passages from the two news clips to the 12 categories.
The table of operationalisation (Table 5) in the Appendices (A7) illustrates how each category was
defined and operationalised for the media analysis.
Each category was defined and attributed with general definitions. After that, the coding
elements were determined, such as specific phrases, words, or expressions that relate to the broader
topic of a cashless future and society. Therefore, argumentation lines are either developed in fa-
vour of a cashless future or against the use of cash. The exact definition and process of coding
builds a valid foundation for later analysis and evaluation of the results.
In the process of defining and coding the categories (manipulation methods and positive presenta-
tion of a cashless future) it became obvious that several categories overlap in terms of definition
and attributions., such as the “positive attribution” and “specific use of language” 27. Categories,
which completely overlap because of their definitions and coding were combined into one. Also,
the category “Exaggeration” can be interpreted as an “Affirmative performance”. Advantages of
a cashless future are listed and the use of paper money is negated – a selective definition, by at-
tributing statements, such as “cashless future is better, easier” to “Exaggeration”. In contrast, ex-
pressions that relate to a cashless future as the only possibility were assigned to the category “Af-
firmative performance”.
After the process of transcribing the cashless future sequences, text elements that fit the definition
were classified by way of qualitative content analysis. Analysing the news clips in detail by re-
watching them was necessary to analyse the texts according to the categories and to distinguish
relevant text passages that relate either to a positive representation and promotion of cashless ac-
tivities, or one of the 12 manipulation methods (See chapter 3, Conclusions and Model). The def-
inition of categories, as well as coding elements were extended and complemented after reviewing
the transcribed news clips.
27
“use of positive expressions to describe cashless activities/positive attribution/connotation; use of words that
express negative aspects about cash/paper money – and – “Cashless future is described as positive (faster, easier,
better, more advanced) - description: disadvantages cash money (too expensive, obsolete/outdated)”
Research design 44
All relevant text passages that were analysed were assigned to each of the 12 categories. The cor-
rect allocation of news content to the categories of Manipulation methods was discussed with Al-
brecht Müller. Then a final assignment was made to count the number of elements of analysis. The
subsequent quantitative content analysis determined the frequency of relevant text passages to
interpret and evaluate the findings in a qualitative way.
4.2.3 Online survey
The final methodological approach for carrying out questionnaires with German citizens seeks to
examine all research questions and wants to prove the hypothesis that subtle manipulation methods
are used to convince the German public of a cashless future. The responses of interviewees illus-
trate if the media´s representation of a cashless future is the same as the opinion of interviewees.
The (survey as the last part of) triangular examination allows a deeper, multifaceted approach of
the phenomenon. The results of this survey will depict how cashless transactions and a cashless
future is understood by German citizens. They will determine whether the public’s opinion is in-
fluenced or manipulated by the media they consume.
Sample
As the research´s project focusses on manipulation methods applied in the debate about a cashless
future in Germany, all people living in Germany, regardless of their nationality could participate.
No background knowledge was needed for a participation in this online survey, but all interview-
ees must speak enough German to be able to understand the questionnaire. The survey was up-
loaded to a website on 2nd of June and was accessible until 4th of July 2017. The survey link was
sent to family, friends, acquaintances and others, who were asked to complete the questionnaire
online. The online survey tool “Online Umfrage”, provided by the Humboldt University for their
students, was used to create the catalogue of questions and answers categories.
Research design 45
People were furthermore asked to forward the link to others. The participation in this question-
naire was voluntary and interviewees were not rewarded for participating, but were offered to be
informed about final results.
Questionnaire
The questionnaire with the title “Strategies of manipulation in democratic societies in a globalised
age: transitioning to a cashless society in Germany” consists of 19 questions (24 topics), and leads
with an introduction about the researcher and research interest. The structure of questions is briefly
explained and the participants are assured that all information will be collected and analysed anon-
ymously. The questionnaire is divided into three subject areas, and starts with A Media and media
usage as the first thematic and most general field in this survey, consisting of the questions: 1, 2,
3, 3a, and 4.
This part is followed by the more specific subject area B Cash and a cashless future (questions 5,
6 ,6a, 7, 8, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9-15).
And finally, part C, which lists demographic questions to gather general information about the
interviewees, such as nationality, sex, age and level of education. The original questionnaire in
German can be found in the Appendices (A8). The answers to these demographic questions make
it possible to establish a link to the rest of the answers.
An interesting introductory question was chosen to motivate participants to fill out the question-
naire. The introductory question also challenges the interviewees to reflect on their individual me-
dia consumption behaviour (Porst,32011, pp. 137-138). The sequence of topic areas – from the
more general topic of media to the more specific field of a cashless future allows the participants
to slowly approach the topic. Also, demographic questions were asked at the end because of trust
building and greater confidence between the interviewer and interviewee throughout the question-
naire. Frequently less attention is paid to questions at the end, since personal questions, such as
about age or sex can be answered by all interviewees without having to think too hard.
The choice of developing a standardised questionnaire was made because this research is of ex-
plorative nature as the debate about cash money limitations is quite new. Additionally, there is no
existing study that examines the application of manipulation methods within the cashless devel-
opment context. For this reason, 19 of the 24 questions are closed, and can be answered with
predetermined response categories (Porst 32011: 51ff.). The number of given categories is small,
Research design 46
since this explorative study seeks to capture people´s instinctive opinion and associations. For
those closed questions, participants had to choose one answer category; only question 8c allowed
multiple responses. This question is one of three questions that applied filters. We distinguish
between global filters and punctual filters to structure a question. The global filter refers to all
participants that answered a question, whereas the punctual filter is used to solely filter after a
certain question. A global filter requires a previous punctual filter. Question 3 and 3a, as well as
questions 5 and 5a are global filters and all participants responded to all four questions. Question
8 is a punctual filter, and following questions 8a, 8b, and 8c are just answered by those interview-
ees who answered question eight affirmatively.
Four questions are semi-open, ask for notes, and comments could be added to listed categories
here. One question (“Can you think of reasons for limiting and abolishing cash money?”) could
be answered freely. All closed questions were mandatory questions, which means that these ques-
tions had to be answered by the participants in order to continue with the rest of the questions.
Since the open and semi-open questions required some background knowledge or ideas concerning
the topic, yet no background knowledge was required for a participation, people could choose
whether they wanted to answer those questions. Phrases that are ambiguous or difficult to under-
stand, as well as double negative expressions were avoided. Short and concrete questions should
assure the right understanding of questions (Porst 32011: 95f).
To make sure the questionnaire was easy to understand, the questionnaire was tested with 10 peo-
ple in a pretest.
After reviewing notes and answers of the pretest the questionnaire was improved and adjustments
were made (Kirchhoff et al., 52010, p. 25). Questions 10 and 11 were added after the pretest, and
were built on the argumentation lines that are used in the debate about a cashless future.
. The analysis and results of the online survey are described in the next chapter 5.3.
Analysis and findings 47
5 Analysis and findings
The methodological approaches of this research (expert interviews, media analysis, and expert
interviews) seek to follow the qualitative criteria for qualitative social science, which are described
by Kaiser as:
the intersubjective transparency of data collection and –evaluation;
the theory-based approach; and
the neutrality and openness of the research for new findings, and other interpretative pat-
terns (2014, pp. 6-8).
The fulfilment of quality criteria was essential for the analysis and evaluation of findings from
expert interviews and media analysis and online survey, which are going to be presented in the
subsequent chapters.
5.1 Results for the expert interviews
As mentioned in chapter 4.2.1 the explorative-informative expert interview wants to provide new
information (Bogner, 2014, p. 2) about the use of manipulation strategies in the case of cash limi-
tation and –abolition in Germany
For the analysis of expert interviews with Albrecht Müller and Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker, two docu-
ments were prepared for each interview. A Protocol of conversation (See Appendices A3 & A4),
and a second document Results for expert interviews (See Appendices A9), listing the three cate-
gories: media and public opinion, politics and public opinion and strategies of manipulation for
the allocation and analysis of transcribed conversation passages. The three categories were based
on theoretical concepts and the research´s theory. Their selectivity and appropriateness was dis-
cussed to ensure the right assignment of interview passages to the categories in a later process.
Each Protocol of conversation lists the course of conversation between the researcher/interviewer
and expert and conversation parts are assigned to each speaker. The allocation of interview parts
to the corresponding time codes serves intersubjective traceability and ensures the validity of this
method. The numbering of protocol parts relates to closed conversation entities like a question of
interviewer and corresponding answer of interviewee. For the Protocol of conversation, the con-
tent of interview parts was briefly paraphrased after listening to the audio files a few times (See
Kaiser, 2014, pp. 83-85).
While listening to the expert interviews several times, important sequences that relate to categories
were noticed and written down, as well as other contextual information that is crucial for the right
understanding of the conversation parts. The Protocols contain two additional columns: Memo
and research question, where notes, and information concerning the research questions could be
added. The three documents of analyses, Protocols of conversations (A3 & A4) and Expert inter-
views - categorised interview transcriptions (A9), which contains the transcriptions of relevant
parts of the conversation, classified by media and public opinion, politics and public opinion and
strategies of manipulation, can be found in the appendices. The numbers of conversation protocols
(in the first column) are the ones that are listed in the categorised interview transcriptions and
determine the passage of the transcribed conversation part.
In the process of assigning conversation sections to the three categories: (1) media and public
opinion (2) politics and public opinion, and (3) strategies of manipulation it became apparent that
each expert expressed more relevant information according to his field of expertise.
Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker, specialist in the field of media research, contributed more answers to the
category “media and public opinion”, whereas Albrecht Müller´s knowledge focusses more on
“strategies of manipulation” and “politics and public opinion”. The findings and expressions of
each expert in each category were once more summarized, paraphrased and numbered (See num-
bers and content of footnotes). Then, the research questions of this study were correlated, and all
paraphrases (numbered after footnotes in previous analysis step, see A9) were assigned to the
corresponding research question: Table 8 (see Appendices) illustrates the assignment of para-
phrased expert interview results to each research question of this study.
Results from the expert interviews show that Albrecht Müller and Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker
confirm the thesis of the research that subtle manipulation strategies are applied in the political
communication in Germany today. Both repeated the important role of PR agencies, and the
significance of PR campaigns across every section of society. PR agencies as well as consultancy
firms work for politicians and business representatives. The sector/market of professional
manipulation and opinion formation with representatives from PR agencies, publishing houses and
journalists are the best accomplices from politicians and private companies today. The art and
profession of influencing (people´s) opinion is particularly significant in democratic societies, as
present day´s dominating private, often economic interests must be adapted to attract public
interest.
Also, both expert stress the symbiosis of politics and economy in today´s globalised age – an
established and strong network in which representatives of the media, economy and politics
dominates world affairs. Decisions are profit-oriented and self-interested, which don´t represent
the will of the majority. Albrecht Müller as well as Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker state that consequently
this process cannot be regarded as democratic.
As a reaction to the ongoing manipulation and spirit of this time, both experts point out the political
disinterest among the public (See Mausfeld, 2015, 2016, p. 10, 38). They observe a de-
politicization, with German citizens being tired of politics since they are too busy with their own
problems of day-today life.
Albrecht Müller and Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker stress the fear of a bank run as one real reason for cash
abolition. States and banks could expropriate individuals in times of crisis, as they would have
total control over people´s capital. The public’s assets are at the mercy of the banks in the event
of a financial crisis.
“Repetition” is a manipulation method, which was mentioned by both experts. They also both
agree that journalists no longer appear to cover news events objectively. Economic constraints that
affect all representatives from the media (journalists, publishing houses, as well as PR-agencies)
decide how news is presented and disseminated in the German media landscape.
The expert Albrecht Müller, who worked as head for planning and the Department of Public
Relations under the chancellors Willy Brandt und Helmut Schmidt, was able provide “company
knowledge” and stated that for the planning of political campaigns working groups are established
to think about strategies of convincing and manipulating the public (See results categorised
interview transcriptions, A9). He posits that it would be possible to achieve complete manipulation
in present day Germany, as the public opinion does not necessarily have to represent the people´s
will. Albrecht Müller argues: “We don´t have a free press”, because powerful voices from different
groups (politics, economy) agree and dominate the process of decision-making for central political
questions, and thus set the course for world affairs (Ibid.).
He describes the German propaganda as excellent and emphasises the essential role of PR
agencies. Albrecht Müller denies the existence of free German press and argues that campaigns
are held in all domains of society to shape the public’s opinion.
Professor Jörg Becker adds that journalists, publishing houses, PR agencies and the state are those
that produce general accepted knowledge. They co-operate with leading representatives from the
political and economic sector, and background discussions can be observed for all important
societal debates, whether they are of political or economic nature.
PR agencies play an important role in promoting the interests of their clients, whether these are
the state or private companies. Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker argues that nowadays political and cooperate
power is intertwined. Both sides are often profit-oriented, dominate the political agenda and set
the frame for economic constraints. This in turn results in the homogenisation of the media that is
evident in Germany, so there is limited editorial independence (in Germany). The professor in
media research states that a short and concise message is repeated to shape people´s opinion. He
argues that the strategy of attracting young people with the promotion of cashless advantages in
the digital age could be a method of promoting the concept of a cashless future. The methods
“transformation into a group-specific slang”, “specific use of language”, “exaggeration”, and/or
“creation of fear” (criminal cash money activities) could be methods (see Model of manipulation
methods) applicable to Prof. Dr. Becker´s proposed argumentation line to convince young people
of a cashless future.
5.2 Results media analysis
In this chapter findings and results from the media analysis (See Media analysis, chapter 4.2.2)
are presented and discussed against the backdrop of the research questions. The aim was to find
answers to all research questions28 by analysing news reports of ARD and ZDF.
28
A: What is the significance of manipulation strategies in the political communication of democratic societies to-
day?
As aforementioned, all relevant text passages from the transcribed news reports about a cashless
future of the channels ARD and ZDF were verified and assigned to each category. The categories
were based on manipulation methods (Model of Manipulation Methods) that were collected by
Albrecht Müller (See chapter 3) and are used in politics (to shape people´s opinion).
Most of the 12 manipulation methods were found in the news reports about a “cashless future” of
ARD and ZDF. The methods “conflict as a source for opinion formation” and “to shorten a story”
were eliminated from the analysis as they ask for oppositional viewpoints (“conflict as a source
for opinion formation”), or a longer chronology, to leave out important aspects (“shorten a story”).
The most important methods in both reports were “repetition” and “exaggeration”. Although ex-
perts which criticize the transition to a cashless society express their concerns and get the chance
to speak in the news clips, further consequences relating to the limitation of paper money (See
chapter 2) are not further explained. The only argument against a cashless society refers to the
raising of negative interests for savers. Experts who favour cash in the news clips address the issue
of democracy and loss of personal freedom.
Table 9 presents the results of the media analysis of ARD Tagesthemen´s news report about a
cashless future (See Appendices A11). The first column illustrates the categories of manipulation
methods that were analysed in the media reports. The second column contains findings of each
media report, and finally, the operationalisation that allowed the coding of the transcribed news
texts.
The analysis of the “cashless future report” of ARD illustrated that K8 creation of fear, K10 con-
flicts as a source for opinion formation, and K12 to shorten a story were not used as manipulative
elements here. The most popular of the 9 applied methods was “repetition”. ARD Tagesthemen’s
main argument is that cashless transactions are easier and faster – it was repeated four times. The
message that cash is outdated and cashless payment services are better was expressed three times
B: Which manipulation methods are used in a globalised age in order to convince the people of a cashless future?
C: What is the role of media (in a democratic society) today?
“by different corners” (K. 2). “Pars pro toto” (K.7) to demonstrate that electronic payments are
everywhere possible: on public toilets, paying your parking ticket, and even in churches was also
expressed three times. The manipulation methods: K9 Exaggeration, K6 relying on experts, and
K3 specific use of language, were each used twice in the ARD Tagesthemen report on a cashless
future. “Transformation of opinions (K4) into a group-specific slang”,” affirmative performance”
(K5) and the manipulation method of “withholding important information” (K12) were each used
once. The use of English words (K4) in the German clip that sound modern such as “swishen” is
used in this German context to describe the progressiveness of cashless transactions in a positive
way. Especially young people, who got used to electronic payment services such as mobile pay-
ment services are addressed here. Statement of experts, claiming that no risks are related to a
cashless future was assigned to the category of withholding relevant information. The Manipula-
tion methods were nineteen times used. Nine of the 12 methods were used to present a positive
picture of a cashless future, where financial transactions will be easier, faster and safer. The basic
tone of ARD attributes positive characteristics to a cashless future, emphasising advantages of
cashless transactions. The argument of mobility and simplicity of handling money transactions
without money is the convincing argument in the news clip of ARD Tagesthemen.
Table 10 illustrates the findings of the ZDF media analysis (See Appendices A12). The
media analysis of ZDF news report about a cashless future has shown that argumentation lines
against cash are formed with the help of the manipulation method “creation of fear” (K8). Attrib-
uting criminal qualities, such as drug dealing, to cash management causes fear and was the argu-
mentative approach taken by the ZDF heute journal. This manipulative element was detected three
times. This argumentation line is supported by the “specific use of language” (K3), also found
three times, as well as “repetition” (K1). The text elements that were chosen from news clips were
assigned to these categories and are listed in table 10 (See Appendices A12). “Relying on experts”
(K6), and “Exaggeration” (K9) were each found twice in the ZDF report. The narrator’s comment
of “nobody wants to abolish cash” can be assigned to the category of “withholding information”
(K11), a category only used once throughout the report. Manipulation method “Same message is
coming from different corners” (K2) could also be applied once. The methods “Opinion is trans-
ferred into a group-specific slang” (K4), “Affirmative Performance (K5), and “Pars pro toto –
validity of a part is extended to universal validity “(K7) and “Conflicts as a source for opinion
formation” (K10) could not be applied at all. The fact that cash limitations caused the current
debate about a cashless future illustrates that the global aim of rationing and limiting cash trans-
actions must be taken seriously.
The combination of techniques intensifies the manipulative effect.
The comparison of media analysis results (“cashless future reports” of ARD and ZDF) shows that
ARD Tagethemen´s argumentation line describes the advantages of cashless transactions. ZDF
heute journal´s clip in contrast uses a contrasting argumentation line by listing disadvantages and
the assumed negative characteristics of cash. The manipulation method “creation of fear” which
was mostly used by ZDF, was not applied once in the ARD cashless future clip. The subconscious
stimulation of negative feelings such as fear could be considered a stronger tool to edge the public
towards accepting cashless transactions., particularly if the public considers it a necessity to protect
their assets (because it is allegedly threatened by criminals). Whereas the positive presentation of
all the advantages of a cashless future (ARD Tagesthemen) appears more like a optional choice
and therefore, the public may not feel compelled to accept the transition from cash to cashless.
Though manipulation methods were used 19 times by ARD and just 15 times by ZDF, the tone of
the ZDF report about cashless transactions could be considered more convincing while describing
threatening aspects about cash money and usage since the viewer is emotionally stimulated. This
subtle psychological effect is directly used to create a feeling of threat and fear to influence the
public.
The following table (Table 6) illustrates how often each manipulation was found in each news
clip:
Manipulation method ARD ZDF

K1. Repetition 4 3
K2. Same message is coming from different corners 3 1
K3. Specific use of language (images and concepts are related to language) 2 3
K4. Opinion is transferred into a group-specific slang 1 -
K5. Affirmative performance 1 -
K6. Relying on experts 2 2

K7. Pars pro toto. Validity of a part is extended to universal validity 3 -
K8. Creation of fear - 3

K9. Exaggeration 2 2
K10. Conflicts as a source for opinion formation - -
K11. To withhold (information) 1 1
K12. To shorten a story - -
19 15
times times
used used
Table 6: Findings from media analysis (cashless future news reports) of ARD and ZDF
The content analysis (by using the keywords “cashless future”) has illustrated that manipulative
methods of opinion formation are applied in the German media to convince the German public of
a cashless future. Each news clip of these broadcasting agencies under public law contained one
oppositional point of view, but did not present a balanced picture of arguments. Further risks that
are related to the idea of a cashless future were not described.
Conclusions
The hypothesis of this research and the assumptions that news clips of broadcasting agencies under
public law present an ideal format of implementing subtle manipulation techniques, can be proven.
Nevertheless additional in-depth surveys must measure and reveal how manipulative the media
coverage of German broadcasting agencies really is.
Although more methods were used more often by ARD, ZDF`s heute journal clip created a better
mood for the acceptance of a cashless future, because emotions were stronger stimulated by
creating an atmosphere of fear.
Finally, the Model of Manipulation Methods was applied and the manipulation methods that were
found in the media analyses of ARD and ZDF´s news clips about a cashless future. Figure (Fig. 7)
in the Appendices (A13) illustrates the twelve of fifteen methods that are applied in the political
communication of Germany for the promotion of a cashless future.
5.3 Results online survey
The next methodological approach of analysing and interpreting the questionnaire data reflects the
German public’s stance towards a cashless future, and reveals if the citizens’ opinion is influenced
by the media. Findings will demonstrate if any correlation exists between the responses and
argumentation lines presented in the German media (See findings media analysis, chapter 5.2).
The online survey with the title Strategies of manipulation in democratic societies in a
globalised age: a cashless future in Germany was live between 2nd of June and 4th of July 2017 on
the free survey tool onlineumfrage.com.
All participants were private contacts but were not rewarded for completing the
questionnaire. Out of 247 people 218 completed the questionnaire in full. Only the fully completed
questionnaires of the 218 participants were considered for the analysis.
Before the actual analysis of answers incorrect or contradicting responses of the interviewees were
corrected.
Few of the answers to demographic questions like age and level of education were
corrected afterwards. Some interviewees of the age 12-19 marked a cross at education level: A-
level, implying this as their degree certificate. These answers of these participants were corrected
to no degree. Since participants could answer freely to questions 5 and 5a, and 6 the categories
were developed after seeing all answers. Also, some answers to questions no. 8, 8a, 8b, and 8c had
to be corrected after closing the online survey. Some of the participants answered No to question
8: Have you observed reports about cash limitations or a cashless future in the German media
coverage, and did answer the following questions (8a,8b,8c), which asked about the content of
media coverage about a cashless future they have observed.
201 participants were of German nationality, the rest, while speaking and living in Germany, hold
different nationalities. Two were Russian, and two were of Austrian nationality. Two other
participants hold dual citizenship: Turkish-German and German-Italian. The other 11 interviewees
were Turkish, Spanish, Greek, Ukrainian, Swiss, Polish, British, Swedish, Ingushetia, Persian, and
Guinean. 124 (56.9%) females and 94 (43.1%) males participated. These numbers were compared
to the latest estimations based on the Zensus from 2011 of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
The current gender ratio of German citizens is estimated by the FSO (2016, p. 14) at: 51% females,
and 49% males. The Zensus from (Zensus 2011, p. 16) shows that the percentage of men has
slightly increased from 2011: 51,2% females, and 48,8% males (Zensus, 2011, p. 16)29. The
adaption to age categories (question no. 18) of the survey to age categories (under 20; 20 - 64; 65
– 79; 80 and older) presented in the Zensus (destatis, 2016, p. 17), and the comparison of
percentages showed no correspondence. The 20- to 64-year-old age group were in this survey
heavily overrepresented with 90.8%, whereas the other age groups were underrepresented
compared to official data from the Zensus (Destatis, 2016, p. 16-17). Figure 8 (See Appendices
A14) illustrates the frequency of interviewed age groups.
The average German age of 44,3 years old (Destatis, 2017a) does not correspond with the
predominant age group of 20 to 30 years in this survey.
Most participants were between 20 and 35 years old and are regarded as the
Milennia generation or “Generation Y” (See Zukunftsinstitut, 2016, p. 10). This generation is
often attributed with certain characteristics. In contrast to “Generation X” or the “Baby Boomers”,
“Generation Y” is described as very individualistic (Zukunftsinstitut, 2016, pp. 14-16). They are
the first generation to grow up in a technological world, surrounded by technological innovations
and live in a digital age. They especially value their social environment like peer-groups,
communities and other networks (Zukunftsinstitut, 2016, p. 15.).
62.8% of the interviewees stated that they have a university degree, and 18.3% attained A-
levels. 15.1% have a secondary school certificate, 7 people (3.2%) have not attained a school
qualification, 6 are still in school. One person (0.5%) has a junior high school degree. When
compared with the 2015 Zensus information concerning the level of education (Destatis, 2017b),
these numbers show that academics are overrepresented in this survey (62.8%). 14.2% of the
German population have a university degree or attained a post-graduate degree (Ibid.). 29.5% of
the total German population have A-levels (18.3% are high school graduates in this study), 22.7%
a secondary school degree, 32.9% have a junior high school certificate compared to the 0.5% here.
Just the number of pupils who still attend a school (3.2%) represents the percentage of the whole
German population (3.6%) that are still in school.
The answers to the four questions (5 issues) in the first part, A - media usage and
consumption showed that 89.9% use the internet daily, 39.9% listen to radio daily, but 28.9% use
radio rarely or never. The only person, who uses the internet infrequently is a male participant over
70. 22.5% of the interviewees watch TV daily, and 28.44% read print media or press every day.
53.7% perceive the German media landscape generally many-sided and critical, whereas 28.0 %
of the participants think that the German media can be described as one-sided.
More than half (50.5%) use the internet as a source of information (question 3),
while media sources such as the press (14.7 %) and social media (13.3%) are two other popular
information channels. While 58.3% (127 people) think that these media sources are many-
sided/critical, 4.1% said that they don’t know. This outcome is surprising as the source of
information channel is chosen by people. In contrast, fewer people (2.3%) said that they had no
idea how to evaluate the German media landscape in general. 19.7% regarded the media as neutral
and informative, yet 17.9% (39 people) stated that they consider the media they use as a source of
information as one-sided.
People had the choice to answer question no. 4, whether there is a newspaper or
journal they read frequently or a program on TV, radio or internet, they consume often. 177 people
stated that they read one or more print medium. Responses to this question are illustrated in Fig. 9
(See Appendices A15).
Table 11 (See Appendices A16). illustrates programs/channels (from TV, radio, and the
internet), which are frequently viewed or listened to. The column “frequency” shows how often
these media formats were mentioned.
Questions 5-15 form the second part of the questionnaire (B cash and cashless future) and asked
for the interviewee´s perception of paper money versus cashless transaction. What is the collective
view of a cashless future and how conscious are they about this development, on a global and
national scale?
More than the half (52.8%) prefer cash transactions, rather than cashless
transactions for the following reasons (question 5):
overview/control over money (50 responses)

safe, transparent, tangible, only hard cash is the real thing (30)
no data recording/anonymous/less control (24)
practical, uncomplicated, easy to handle (in every-day life) (17)
habit/custom, it was always like that, confidential aspect (4)
human interaction, more personal (3)
less costs (1)
In contrast, cashless transactions are preferred by 47.2% of the interviewees for the following
reasons.
fast, easy, uncomplicated, practical (new way of banking, no need to withdraw cash, no
need for a wallet, flexible, (88 responses)
better overview/transparency (12)
explicit risk/fear and risk of losing cash money (9)
transfer of large amounts of money (5)
necessary (e.g. for online-payments) (3)
environmentally friendly (1)
more hygienic (1)
no fees or charges (1)
The categories to open questions 5, 5a and 6 were developed inductively, after seeing all answers.
Based on the responses to question 5a (Why do you prefer cash?), the following five answer
categories were developed, and comments were attributed to the relevant category:
cash transactions are anonymous, no data is recorded, no manipulation possible, no digital
footprint is left (48 answers)
risk of cyber fraud, such as hackers (39)
no third party is involved, direct, face to face, transparent (25)
oversight of one’s spending, “master over money” (21)
real money/objective value, payment guarantee, “cash is king” (12)
People believe cashless transaction are safer, because:

1) of the documentation and transparency of payments, good encryptions and revocation
possibilities (21 responses)
2) loss of cash, requirement of PIN and card to access makes cashless transactions also safe
(16)
3) no criminal activities such as counterfeiting robberies are possible (5)
172 people were able to think of reasons why cash is limited and abolished. The arguments in Fig.
10 (See Appendices A17) could be used according to the opinions of interviewees in the war on
cash and are possible reasons for cash abolition.
Half of the participants (52.3%) did not know and have not heard of examples of cash abolition in
other countries (question 7). The same number were also unaware of media coverage about a
cashless future (question 8). 104 participants (47.3%) have observed media reports about the
cashless future-debate, and perceived media coverage as illustrated in the Tables 7.1 – 7.4.
(see Appendices A18).
28.1% of the same 104 respondents perceived a positive image, while 39.5% regarded the issue as
being represented neutrally and 40.6% negatively (Fig. 11, see Appendices A19).
47.3% of the people in this online survey observed the following elements in the media reports
(Fig. 12, see Appendices A20). Multiple responses were possible for this question.
References to experts (55 responses)

Confirmation of statements by several group/parties (41)
Reasons for a cashless future and advantages of cashless transactions were convincingly
presented (40)
Disadvantages of cash were clearly demonstrated (50)
Figure 12 illustrates that the manipulation method to “rely on an expert´s opinion” was mostly
perceived by the interviewees who came across cashless future reports in the German media
landscape This is the most popular manipulation method in this online survey. These findings
provide an answer to the research questions: what is the significance of manipulation strategies in
democratic societies today, and which manipulation methods are used to convince the German
population of a cashless future?)
More than the half (53.7%) thought that cash abolition can just partially reduce and stop criminal
activities like money laundering, etc. (question 1030), and 37.2%, (81 respondents) did not believe
30
Do you agree that cash is outdated in times of globalisation? People do not use cash, it´s expensive (negative
that limiting or abolishing cash will help to prevent such crimes.

Almost 40% of respondents (38.1%) were unable to evaluate the consequences or
risks that could relate to a cashless society. Half (50.5 %) did not agree and considered cash money
essential in a democratic society, while five people (2.3 %) did not have an opinion on this issue.
Question 11 follows, as well as the previous question, the media´s argumenta-
tion line evaluating cashless transactions as easier and faster (e.g. credit card payments, mobile
payment: Paypal/Apple Pay, Bitcoin). 55% of the people agreed partly, while 25.2% were con-
vinced that cashless transactions are more advantageous than using cash. 19.3 % disagreed that
cashless transactions are easier and faster, and one person has no opinion on that.
More than 40% could not imagine that cash could be partially or completely
abolished, whereas 38.5% could think it will be gradually abolished. More than three-quarters
(84.4%) would feel under surveillance if all payment transactions would be recorded, but 6.4 %
stated they would feel safe if all their expenses were under scrutiny. 20 out of 218 gave no an-
swers to the question, or did not want to answer this question and ticked the box no opinion.
134 respondents (61.5%) could imagine that future laws would favour cash limi-
tation and abolition and that this could be realized against the public´s will. Whereas almost 30%
did not think this would be possible in a democratic state like Germany. 8.7% did not have an
opinion about this.
The final question of part B (cash and cashless future) intended to capture a
closing statement of the topic. Therefore, participants were asked whether they look with confi-
dence to a cashless future. About 70% responded with no, rather negative, 11.9% stated yes, why
not? and the same amount of people (11.9%) had no opinion of how to face a cashless future.
Summarizing the results of this online survey, it was discovered that Germans are still conservative
with regards to a cashless reality. Previous studies have shown that the German population is one
of the most traditional societies in Europe with regards to the transition to a cashless future
(Wiwo 2016b, Bundesbank 2016a).
The sample´s dominant age group is not a representation of the average German
population (See Zensus, 2011; Destatis, 2017b). Out of all age categories in the questionnaire two
age categories 20-30 years and 30-40 years old were the mostly represented group in this research
interest rates for savers, charge of fees for cash withdrawal)?

(70 %). Same applies to the level of formal education. People with university degree (62.8 %)
constitute the majority of the sample of this thesis, which is not matching the results of the general
population of Germany. However, it is remarkable that while the study’s sample is not
representative for Germany´s population it was most insightful to get to know about the attitudes
towards limitation and abolition of cash of Millennials which in fact represent the dominant age
group of this sample.
The questions concerning media usage and media consumption patterns showed that the internet
is used by the majority (90 %) of the participants on a daily basis. Also, the internet as a media
channel is used by all participants, regardless of their age group. Only one person (70 or older)
uses the internet only rarely. Two other people use internet just monthly.
Overall TV becomes less important, especially for younger people. Almost 90 % of the people
between 20 and 40 years old never watch TV.
Radio is used by almost 95 % of the older age groups daily with Deutschlandfunk being the most
popular radio station.
Print media show a significant disparity in their usage patterns with different age groups. Almost
60% of respondents that are 40 years and older consume print media every day including regional
and supra-regional, while only 25% of the 20-30 years old use print media as part of their daily
media consumption. Interestingly the same age group make up 70% of overall respondents who
never read press or print media.31 Die Zeit is the most popular print medium, followed by taz, FAZ,
Süddeutsche Zeitung und Spiegel.
Overall the most favourite channels or programmes in TV, radio or internet are: ARD (Tagesschau
and Tagesthemen), MDR (MDR aktuell, MDR info, MDR Thüringen), Deutschlandfunk and
Spiegel online, as well as ZDF (heute and Auslandsjournal).
Social media is next to the internet a popular source of information especially for the young age
groups.
Particularly meaningful is the finding that all age groups (20 to 70 years and older) stated at least
once that they perceive the German media to be one-sided, and not balanced and critical.
31
The online study (2016) from ARD/ZDF gives a detailed description about internet usage and activities of the
German population (ARD/ZDF Onlinestudie, 2016).
Responses to questions aiming to gain insights about the topic of this thesis also asked about
payment habits of the general population. The results show that cash is the preferred payment
method, because it serves as a tangible monitor for expenses. People can calculate their expenses
and daily economic activities better by using cash. Furthermore, the transparent and direct money
management (face to face) confirms the saying “only cash is king”. This shows that people
appreciate money also for its store-of-value function.
The difference in responses to question 5 (Do you prefer the use of cash or cashless transactions?)
and question 6 (What do you think is safer? Cash or cashless transactions?) demonstrated that
cash money is appreciated, because it seems safer. The existence of physical money for the broader
relation to the functions of money seems to be a significant aspect for the understanding and
management of money. Cash seems safer, because no data is recorded and it is anonymous.
Cashless payment methods are especially favoured because of their easy handling, efficiency in
terms of saving time. Its fast, easy and practical for people paying electronically, rather than with
cash. The acknowledgement of cashless payments for these reasons indicates the spirit of our
present time and mentality especially of younger people. A private and anonymous use of cash
supports an individualistic attitude of the Generation Y or Millennials (protecting one´s privacy
and intimacy), which is the dominant age group of this survey. The given responses to question 13
indicate the significance of the right to individualism (See Zukunftsinstitut, 2016) once more.
Approximately 85% would feel controlled and surveyed, if all their payment transactions would
be monitored (or recorded).
The above results suggest that the debate about cash limitations is not very
relevant to the interviewees, as 52% of the respondents have not observed the debate in the German
media and have not heard of examples from other countries. Also, other answers indicated that the
topic is new or unknown to the research sample: approx. 38.1 % of the respondents are unable to
consider consequences that relate to a cashless transition (question 10), and 18.3% of the
participants have no opinion concerning (question 12) future cash limitations.
Those who recognised a discussion of the topic in the German media heard it mostly from Spiegel,
ARD, ZDF or radio Deutschlandfunk, and remembered that experts expressed their opinion in
media reports. The presentation of disadvantages of cash was another element people have noted
in these reports about a cashless future. Contrary to the thesis of this research, people stated that
they perceived a rather neutral (39.5%) or negative image (40.6%) instead of a positive stance
(28.1%) of a cashless future. The fact that the topic is fairly new to the general population and a
related general unawareness and informed opinion of people might explain this result. Another
reason could be that people have misinterpreted the question, and stated how they think about a
cashless future instead of how they perceived media news reports about the topic. However, it is
an interesting finding that can be researched further in later studies and work on this topic and how
the opinion of people might change as they get more acquainted with a cashless world. Answers
to question 9 showed that the argument of criminal activities as main reason for cash limitations
is not convincing enough for people, and that they are swayed by the easy and practical use and
handling of cashless payment options. The respondents regard a transition to cashless transactions
as positive because of (production) costs, efficiency and practicality, without being concerned
about criminal actions.
More than the half (61.5%) can imagine that future government decrees can be
enforced against the population´s will. This position reflects people´s confidence and political
closeness to their government. The close cooperation between authorities and the public, which is
the basis for any democratic concept is not provided. The public’s unpreparedness disinterest in
the topic even though it is debated globally (see chapter 2, Concepts), represents a misbalance in
the current democratic structure of the German system. It is arguable the media´s responsibility to
mediate between leading authorities and the public. However, the German media is currently not
fulfilling this role it was bestowed with in a democratic society.
Results have shown that most people acknowledge cashless transactions mostly because
they are uncomplicated. For this reason, one can project that future debates will probably be built
on argumentation lines that approve cashless transactions for the same reason rather than using the
argument of reducing criminal activities. In Germany, cash is still king because of its physical
presence and for its ability to be handled transparently that ensures privacy, and a certain degree
of individualism.
Discussion 64
6 Discussion
In this chapter, the results from expert interviews, media analyses and the online survey will be
discussed against the backdrop of the research questions, while also proving the research´s hy-
pothesis.
The presence and subject of manipulation strategies was topical in all three investigations. The
consulted experts in this research, Albrecht Müller and Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker confirmed the great
importance of manipulation strategies in the political communication in present day Germany, and
posited that “total manipulation is possible in Germany today” (See findings Appendices A9: ex-
pert interviews, Albrecht Müller, Table 8) since systematic campaigns of opinion formation are
applied in the political area for the assertion of interests. Economic values, which are set as the
priority in all societal domains, and constitute the framework under which a democracy functions
(of e.g. politicians, media) are exercised, reveal a strong discrepancy. “It’s the government´s re-
sponsibility to make sure that people´s passive rebellion doesn´t turn into an active one” (See
findings Appendices A9: expert interviews, Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker, Table 8) and to keep the public
occupied with personal concerns and problems. The current state of political lethargy as a product
of applied manipulation strategies (Mausfeld, 2016, 2017) demonstrates how propaganda is suc-
cessfully exercised in Germany. Other applied manipulation methods that were stated by the ex-
perts were the repetition of short and concise messages, as well as “Stop thief”, “Shorten a story”.
Albrecht Müller argued that systematic campaigns of opinion formation help to influence the pop-
ulation´s interest.
Furthermore, literature research and results from the media analysis have shown
that manipulation techniques are used and of significance for the political communication in Ger-
many.
The lack of commitment to policy and state de-politicization that was mentioned by the experts is
proven as almost 40 % of the people could not evaluate the consequences or risks that relate to a
cashless society. This phenomenon has different reasons: on the one hand it represents the current
spirit of this time where efficiency determines the value of a person, and humans are kept busy
trying to optimise their lives. This is related to values that are especially important for younger
generations. In particular, the so-called Generation Y or Millennials are seemingly occupied with
self-development and self-expression. On the other hand, people are self-absorbed which leaves
them little time and energy for political or social commitment. Figure 12 in the Appendices illus-
trates the “expectations of Generation Y of future banking”. Though the banking context is framed
in Figure 13, general approaches to life by the Millennials can be understood from the graphic
(See Appendices A21: Graphic Millennials and expectations of future banking (Fig. 13)
Discussion 65
(In: Raconteur 2016)). Not a collective consciousness in a globalised age can be expected
for interviewees between 20 and 40 years, but rather an individual consciousness who only see the
possibilities of self-development.
Responses like “cash is safer because the potential for it to be manipulated by
third parties is lower” show that they consider the use of manipulation strategies.
To convince the German population of a cashless future in a globalised age, the interviewed
experts believe in the strategy of gradual limiting cash to achieve a cashless future. Methods like
“exaggeration” or “creation of fear” could be used to trigger people´s emotions. The invention of
criminal and threatening scenarios (e.g. bank robberies) is one way of influencing emotions. The
presentation of advantages of cashless transactions might be exaggerated and an age variable might
be introduced on which future argumentation lines are built to convince especially young people
of a cashless future.
Media analyses of cashless future reports from ARD Tagesthemen and ZDF heute journal
have demonstrated that manipulation methods are used in a globalised age to convince the German
population of a cashless future. This assumption was proven by illustrating that the news reports
did not feature a balanced debate about cash limitations. Instead they depicted more arguments
and elements that supported the idea to go cashless. This is as a consequence of capitalist ground
supporting the media with other agents from the political and economic field that determine the
agenda of represented interests.
The Repetition of the message that cashless transactions are easy, faster and generally
better is another method by which the public is influenced in favour of a cashless future, as well
as when the “same message comes from different corners”. “Pars pro toto” is a dominant method
used by public broadcasters to promote the idea of a cashless future by arguing that a cashless
reality is possible. These days cashless transactions can be used in public toilets and even in
churches.
The “creation of fear” is another popular method used in this context. Referencing
criminal activities being related to cash aims to increase people´s anxiety and acceptance for cash
limitations. The method “specific use of language” frames ideas and concepts of the audience that
support an argumentation line against cash.
The respondents in this survey stated that the disadvantages of cash were mainly illustrated in
media programmes, alongside the approval of a cashless reality by different voices or groups. The
reference to experts (“relying on an expert”) in the debate in media reports was the main element
Discussion 66
people perceived. Credibility can be achieved by using the information of a professional and his
or her expertise. This method gains special interest and can be appropriately applied in the German
context of correct and thorough behaviour and reflects the society´s mentality to some stage. This
effect of subtle strategy supports the impression that the public broadcasters are not fulfilling their
responsibility (Meyer, 2002; BpB, 2006, 2011c, 2016a).
All methods of research are able to clarify various aspects of the last research question,
what is the role of the media the German society today?
Both experts said that nowadays the media´s responsibility is the representation and pro-
motion of economic interests and agents, with whom they cooperate. In this globalized age, PR
agencies are new knowledge producers in the media that manage the public opinion.
The homogenization of media is the result of dominant economic constraints, and the symbiosis
of representatives from media, economy and politics due to profit-oriented interests of a few that
are often in contrast to the will of the general population. PR agencies shape and influence the
opinion on a small and large scale in campaigns. Interests and intentions of are negotiated in
background discussions, and the fact that the press is not free in Germany was mentioned in the
interviews with the experts.
As we discovered from analysing the media reports and literature, public broad-
casters are not fulfilling their responsibility of observing interests from government and people to
mediate between both and create a dialogue (and consent), but rather represent the interest of pow-
erful networks. (Meyer, 2001; Leif, 2010; BpB, 2006).
As we have seen from theoretical concepts and from interviewed experts, the structure and
conditions of media practise in Germany are determined by economic values, instead of guiding
aspects that are fundamental for democratic structures that produce a public opinion
(BpB, 2006; Bonfadelli, 2016).
From the results of two expert interviews, the media analysis of news reports and the an-
swers of 218 citizens the conclusion can be drawn that the hypothesis that subtle manipulation
strategies are used to convince the German population of a cashless future is proven.
The contemporary effect of the capitalist spirit dominating this age of globaliza-
tion causes a drastic misbalance, which has shaken the concept of democracy. The symbiosis of
media and politics (Meyer, 2002, pp. Xff, 93), and the manipulation of the masses in favour of
individual interests are today´s reality. The media does not fulfil the responsibilities it holds in a
Discussion 67
democratic system: the interest-led production of public opinion by the media has further implica-
tions for society. The public sphere, which builds the ground for dialogue in a democratic society
has lost substance, since public opinion is manufactured (Meyer, 200232).
32
Meyer refers also to Habermas´ colonisation of the lifeworld (2002, 65) and stresses the effects for society.
Conclusions and prospects 68
7 Conclusions and prospects
The research has shown that subtle manipulation strategies are applied in political communica-
tion in Germany.
The subtle quality of these techniques is of importance in democratic societies. The interests of a
few and decisions are not imposed as it is the case in authoritarian regimes or dictatorships, but
are subtly implemented to form the opinion of people and society.
Edward P. Freeland from Princeton University states “the concept of public opinion arose as a
consequence of the rise of democracy, premised on the notion that government should rule with
the consent of the governed.” (2015, 562). This research has shown that the concept of democracy
was adapted to capitalist conditions and interests of all representatives, and public opinion today
is produced within the same framework. The population can be considered a client, who´s attitudes
of consumption and life sought to be understood by leaders to produce the opinion and outcome
they desire. This means that the concept of democracy must be re-evaluated. People are misled.
Firstly, because they are let to believe mass media, especially public broadcasters or media agen-
cies, act independently and free and report objectively. Secondly, because the public is not aware
of what are the real intentions of decision makers in politics. The psychological effect of these
manipulation methods is a way of persuading the people by subtly manipulating their emotions,
and opinions. Language and images are the main source for the transportation of messages, the
production of knowledge and the formation of opinions. This subtle form of power exertion is
dangerous because of its hidden quality and substance.
The media is not fulfilling its function in a democratic state and press is not free since
powerful networks from politics, the media and economy continue to dominate in these areas of
knowledge production. Since free press guarantees democracy (BpB, 2010, p. 8) it has to be
asked what is the legal basis for the media´s practice?
The research also demonstrated once more that the effects of technological developments as
products of globalization are received by everyone. The internet as one of the main information
channels has gained great significance within the last decades as it promised a broader base for
opinion formation and for the strengthening of civil society. Social media is the latest important
source for communication and information, specifically for the younger generations. The strat-
egy of approaching young generations by adapting arguments from the debate about a cashless
future to arguments and values that prevail in young people´s life (See Appendices A21, Fig. 13)
is a probable development in this debate. It can be observed that political and economic interests
of those who produce the (digital) public opinion are even more difficult to screen than before
(BpB, 2010, p. 3). Because of technological advances, new approaches, attitudes and lifestyles
are shaped and combined with interest-based information from all sorts of media.
Due to the globalization of the survey research industry, social scientists now have access to
public opinion data from most countries in the world (Freeland, 2015, p. 262).
The research has also illustrated that German citizens favour the ease and time-saving value of
electronic payment services, but do acknowledge that cash functions as a means of purchasing
power. This knowledge and information regarding money is of great significance when it ap-
proaches the debate about a cashless future as it represents the main difference between cash
money and digital money. Since most people do not differentiate consciously between the func-
tion of money and the purpose of electronic payments, they can be easily seduced by the ad-
vantages of cashless transactions. The partial reluctance of citizens to accept a cashless future in
Germany is related to Germans appreciate the tangible value of money to purchase objects. A
cashless future deprives us of fundamental rights and creates essential dependencies, which limit
our personal freedom. Max Otte and Norbert Häring advice for those who want to counteract the
cashless development. Among other things they recommend to pay as often as possible with
cash. Take some money from the bank and store it in a safe place, discuss the possibility of cash
abolition and its consequences with family and friends and try to raise awareness for the topic.
(See Häring 2016, pp. 227-229; Otte, 2016, pp. 63-65).
The creation of awareness for the relevance of manipulation strategies in the political commu-
nication of democratic societies today is essential for our potential of information knowledge ac-
quisition. This research tried to contribute some empirical insights into the unexplored field of
manipulation methods applied in the debate of cash limitation and abolition. Although this re-
search focused on Germany it is relevant for all democratic societies, since prevailing economic
constraints that affect the media are the consequence in all capitalist, democratic societies. Fur-
thermore, it is vital to develop a consciousness for the debate about cash abolition, risks and con-
sequences that relate to such development, since official regulations such as the EU´s proposal
on restrictions on payments in cash (EU Commission, 2017) are not explicitly reported by the
media outlets. Also, consumer protection associations could initiate further impact assessments
for consumers in the case of cash abolition.
Since the “war on cash” is an issue on the global agenda, this work sought to raise conscious-
ness on a global level. The relevance of new technologies like Radio Frequency Identity (RFID),
used by many contactless payment services and other forms of data retention must be acknowl-
edged to understand the reach and significance of these type of innovations.
The impact of the abolition of cash could mean a closer step towards globalised institutional
structures that have a large impact at the broader societal level.
The Model of Manipulation Methods, which were developed in the process of this research, is
a contribution to different fields such as politics, communication and media studies, as well as
linguistics.
Due to limited extent of investigation within the framework of a Master thesis, future studies can
surely be improved. For instance, the methods are extendable under different conditions (time
and money), and the number of participants in the online survey could be increased by, for ex-
ample, motivating respondents with the promise of a reward. The number of participants in the
course of the pretests, as well as the sample of media programmes and interviewees could also
be increased depending on the circumstances.
As the research aimed to fulfil empirical quality criteria in the entire process, this study is fur-
thermore a contribution in the academic sphere.
Other disciplines like global and development studies can follow the findings, and since the
study´s interdisciplinary research area opened a new field of investigation, it hopefully inspires
future considerations that benefit from this work.
References 71
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Appendices I
9 Appendices
A1: Model: The Hidden Persuaders - Techniques of hidden Argumentation, Ständige Publikumskonferenz 2016 (Fig. 1)
Schaubild: The Hidden Persuaders - Techniken der verdeckten Argumentation

Verdeckte Argumentation Verdeckte Argumentation Verdeckte Argumentation Verdeckte Argumentation
durch die Erzählhaltung des durch die Anwendung durch interessengeleitetes durch semantische, visuelle
Journalisten rhetorischer Strategien und auditive Frame-Trigger
Framing
Affirmativ-nah, Red Herring: Scheinargumente Interessengeleitete Falsch- Schlüsselbilder

Identifikatorisch-empathisch als Ablenkungsmanöver information
Strohmann: Verfälschung der Schlüsselmusik

Kritisch-distanziert, z. B. durch interessengeleitete Auswahl und
Ironie Position des Gegners Dekontextualisierung von Fakten:
sinnverzerrende Halbwahrheiten Schlüsselwörter
Autoritätsargument: Berufung
auf Autoritäten, z.B. "Experten" interessengeleitete Rekontextualisierung
(Reframing) Einbetten von Fakten in einen
fremden Sinnzusammenhang
Bandwagon: Berufung auf die
Autorität der vielen
Reframing durch Verstöße Reframing durch

Gefühlsappell: Appell an gegen das Gebot der Zitattreue Bildmanipulation
Gefühle wie Bewunderung,
Mitleid, Neid, Furcht, Hass,
Spott, Hoffnung
Falsche Wiedergabe oder Übersetzung Bildmanipulation durch
contextomy Interpretationsfälschung oder nicht
Innuendo: indirekte Form der ad homi- Verzerrung durch der Sprecherabsicht gekennzeichnete Symbolbilder
nem-Strategie, Angriff auf die Vertrau- zuwiderlaufendes Wortmaterial Bildmanipulation durch Kontextfälschung
Verzerrung durch falsche Akzentuierung Bildmanipulation durch Materialfälschung
enswürdigkeit des politischen Gegners
Bildmanipulation durch Inszenierung
(Charakter, Motive, Verhalten)
Beschuldigung des politischen Verbreitung einer Anschuldigung

Gegners durch bewusste Nutzung Beschuldigung des politischen samt Pro-Forma-Distanzierung vom
von Implikaturen Gegners durch Berufung auf Dritte Inhalt der Beschuldigung
durch Berufung durch Berufung

auf "opportune Wieselwörter: Viele kritisieren, unabhängige Beobachter meinen, Kritiker warnen, wir hören, erfahren, es heißt,
auf anonyme
Medienberichten, Gerüchten, Insidern zufolge- soll-könnte -möglicherweise- offenbar- wohl- usw.
Zeugen" Quellen
Appendices II
A2: Model of Manipulation Methods, German Original, Müller & Achmedowa, 2017a (Fig. 3)
Appendices III
A3: Expert interview: Protocol of conversation with Albrecht Müller (Table 1)
Interview protocol – Expert interview No. 1: Albrecht Müller (AM) and interviewer Malika Achmedowa (MA), Skype Interview on the 28th of
February 2017, Duration of Skype call: 1hour and 25 minutes, conversation recorded
Conversa- speaker Content Memo Research ques-

tion part, tion
time code
(mins)
1) 00:00 - MA Introduction, presentation of both interview partners, explanation of research inter-

03:50 & est and structure of interview (3 parts: Media and politics, cash abolition, progno-
AM sis)
- Thanks for participation
- personal queries
2) 03:52 – MA Reader´s letter to NachDenkSeiten
09:00 Development of media towards standardization (mainstream)
-today mostly mainstream media, symbiosis of former critical media with main-
stream media (e.g. Spiegel and Bild Zeitung)
- references: Prof. Rainer Mausfeld, Albrecht Müller´s book “Meinungmache”

3) 09:30 – MA Is the public opinion the published opinion? And if so, is total manipulation possi- Research ques-
10:14 ble? tion: A, C
What is the responsibility of media today, in a democratic state?

3) 10:15 – AM The Public opinion is not significant for all political decisions, sometimes it´s suffi- A
11:15 cient, if the Lobby gets most opinions. Total manipulation in this way is possible.
[See transcription]
Appendices IV
4) 11:20 – MA Then, what is the responsibility of media today, in a democratic state? If the pub- C
11:30 lished opinion is the one of elite?
4) 11.30 AM Role and responsibility of media in a democratic state C

- 12:50 [See transcription]
(phone call)
13:00 – - concept of democracy [See transcription]
14:45
- symbiosis of media and politics (20:05mins)
[See transcription]
17:30
5) MA How would you define the term elite in the context of opinion formation? A, C
20:30 –
20:45
5) 20:46 -The elite in my opinion is not really existent. Today´s elite consists of actors from A
politics and the “opinion clan”
-Manipulation strategies to convince people, e.g. Trump: “Stop thief”
6) 24: 14 – MA Who works on these techniques and do the editors and journalists know about these Actors A
24:37 strategies?
6) 24:38 - AM I don’t know much about the historical development, and from where this technique A, B
originate
Manipulation method of repetition
25:54 – 26:30: meetings of groups who discuss these plans [See transcription]
- “say B, mean A” (28:00 mins) [See transcription]

- “Exaggeration” (28:15 mins) [See transcription]
29:15 – 29:35
actors that work on these techniques: advertising agencies/PR teams (30:48 –
31:38 mins) [See transcription]
Appendices V
7) 31:45 – MA Can such a symbiosis of politics and economy still be regarded as democratic? C
31:49
7) AM No, in my opinion this is not democratic
32:00 – 33:33 – 34:17campaigns of opinion formation, Systematic manipulation

[See transcription]
8) MA In your opinion, which is the most important medium (with far-reaching effects) in A, B, C
34:18 – this globalised age?
34:42
8) 34:43 AM I think that it´s still TV, but will be probably detached by social networks, which C
are more diffuse than TV.
Homogenisation is detached by commercialization of electronic media
Electronic media will be more important (36:10 mins)

9) MA Do you have an idea, which technique of opinion formation is mostly used by the B
37:45- media today?
9) AM Manipulation methods [See transcription] B
37:55 – “Shorten a story” (39:00 mins)
40:48 “Stop thief” (39:13 mins)
“Say B, mean A” (39:14 mins)
10) MA And why is the sovereign, the population, not rebelling? Is this part of the manipu- A
40:55 - lation strategy? (reference to Prof. Rainer Mausfeld: political lethargy part of the
manipulation strategy
10) 41:32 – AM Yes, this is an important part
45:00 - Depoliticisation (42:07 – 42:42 mins) as manipulation strategy [See transcrip-
tion]
e.g. Reagan
- strategy (43:07 – 44:59 mins) [See transcription]
- anecdote (own experience with neighbour)

Appendices VI
11) MA Willi Brandt motivated and mobilised the people, addressing their emotions with A
47:20 topics like reconciliation policy and democratic values. How are emotions ad-
dressed today, and which values dominate this time, and also the published/public
opinion in your point of view?
11) AM For sure egoism, egocentric position, solidarity less, we have it good (“we” - The
Germans)- unifying element, generous, we help the refugees)
12) 52:35 MA Authors, like Mausfeld and Bernays state that strategies of opinion formation are a A, C
fundamental part of democratic societies. What´s your opinion on that? [See tran-
scription]
12) AM Now, only manipulation [See transcription]

53:25 – Dangerous development in Germany
54:55 mins
II – Cash limitation and -abolition
13) MA Mr. Müller, have you observed any measures or actions towards a cashless devel- A, B
opment in Germany or in Europe? Advertising, or the promotion of the positive im-
age of a cashless future?
13) AM Yes, temporarily, sometimes I have read something, and thought about it, but not
these days. And remember that I read an article, where someone supported and ap-
proved the cashless future development, but can´t remember who that was.
I personally prefer cash money, electronic transactions have many disadvantages, I
had personal experiences, where cash payments were not accepted
14) 58:28 - MA Do you think the interests of those who approve a cashless future are the same as A, C
the people´s will?
14) AM I see that the younger generation uses electronic payment possibilities.
01:00:45 - I don’t think that the cashless developments, actions and measures were taken in fa-
01:03:06 vour of the people.
Appendices VII
motives for cashless future: fear of a bank run

[See transcription]
15) MA Nobert Häring states that a cashless future would mean total control and transpar- B
01:06:20 ency. What do you think, how is the German population prepared to dissolve from
paper money and accept cash abolition, and a cashless future?
15) AM Play up scenarios: money laundering, tax havens, etc. [See transcription]
01:06:55-
01:07:32
16) MA Which positive aspects are primarily suggested? Which strategies of opinion for- B
01:08:16 mation could you imagine in this case?
16) AM Of course, advantages of cashless transactions

01:08:23 [See transcription]
17) MA Which future scenario could you imagine for the case of cash limitation and why? B
01:08:58
17) AM Create events
01:09:08- [See transcription]
18) MA Finally, Mr. Müller, I would like to ask you, whether you would agree with the hy- A, B
01:10:22 pothesis of my thesis that subtle manipulation strategies are applied to convince the
population of a cashless future. If yes, why? If not, why not?
18) AM [See transcription] End of talk

01:10:23 MA Personal talk
AM
Appendices VIII
A4: Expert interview - Protocol of conversation with Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker (Table 2)
Interview protocol – Expert interview No. 2: Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker (JB) and interviewer Malika Achmedowa (MA),
Phone call on the 15h of March 2017, Duration of phone call: 48 minutes, conversation recorded
Part – speaker Content Memo Research ques-

time code tion
1 – 04:30 MA Introduction, presentation, explanation of research interest and structure of inter-
& view (2 parts: Media and politics, cash abolition and future prognosis)
JB - Thanks for participation
2) MA 2a. Who is significantly involved in processes of knowledge production and –man- C

05:00 min agement
2b. And do economic mechanisms facilitate the homogenization of the media?

2) JB sources of knowledge production are:
05:30 1)media publisher
min-10:14 2) journalists
-News agencies in the background, behind publisher and journalist, PR agencies as

new producers of knowledge, which provide material for news agencies and pub-
lishers;
[See transcription]
2) MA And the interesting question here is, who owns these PR agencies?
10:14 PR agencies are held by private companies, e.g. VW (Diesel crisis today)
JB
Appendices IX
2) JB Knowledge producers are companies

Public knowledge producers is produced by public authorities; we have a symbiosis
between politics and media, and we don’t know who is the stronger one of both.
[See transcription]
3) MA Homogenization of media can be attributed to economisation? C

11:30mins
– 11:59
3) JB - Yes, Homogenisation can be attributed to economization = standardisation= all
12:00 – agencies buy same news
12: 58 - Economisation, because of high personnel costs = all buy the same news= homog-
enisation of the media
- Economic constraints cause homogenisation [See transcription]
4) MA How would you define the term elite in the context of opinion formation? C
13:48
mins – And since we talked about the knowledge producers, do you think the knowledge
14:10 min producers can be compared to the elite?
4) JB Public authorities as knowledge producers no answer to

14:11- [See transcription] previous
16:28 question
5) 16:30 So, can we speak of a symbiosis of these actors?
5) 16:50 JB Yes, correct. We have a symbiosis of politics and media, and we don´t know who is
the stronger one of both.
6) 17:20 MA In your lecture “War in media – Media in war” you speak about the connection of C
the military and journalists related to the war propaganda. Can the term “embedded
journalism” also be used to describe the interaction of economic actors and journal-
ists from media, in the case of cash limitation?
Appendices X
[See transcription]
6) JB Yes, of course, for many topics, reference Uwe Krüger, always background discus-
17:45 – sions (in the political area)
19:28mins [See transcription]
7) MA In this globalised age, which medium reaches people most and why? (press, TV, in- A, B, C
19:30 – ternet, radio)
19:52 [See transcription]
7) JB Pictures´ effect is always more intense than a text, that´s why more important; more
19:55 - TV and internet than press
Alternative (online) offer still small, – again symbiosis media and politics
[See transcription]
8) 22:30 MA Would you confirm the hypothesis of my thesis that subtle manipulation strategies A, B
are applied in the political communication?
8) JB Yes, of course. Long tradition, starting with Bernays, campaigns: repetition, short
and concise messages, campaigning also in the case of cash limitation
[See transcription]
9) MA And why is the sovereign, the population, not striking against this manipulation or B
24:48 – rebelling?
25:23 [See transcription]
9) JB Question is wrong, because the people rebel, but passively. People are disinterested,
25:24 – and depoliticized, population rebels passively not actively
29:08 - Reference: Mausfeld: political Lethargy)
[See transcription]
Appendices XI
10) MA Is the elite the symbiosis of economy and politics on highest level? A, C
29:09
29:19
10) JB Yes, e.g. during the bank crisis, where the states rescued banks
29:20- [See transcription]
31:45
11) 31: 55 MA Quote from Benito Mussolini: fascism = merge of political and cooperate power C
11) JB Answer to question No, 11

33:42 – [See transcription]
35:25
12) 36:13 MA What do you think, how is the German population prepared to dissolve from paper B
money and accept cash abolition?
12) 36:35 JB Don´t know, from what I´ve read, Resistance, End of inter-
- 38:33 Maybe age variable: young people are more attracted to use cashless transactions view
than the older generation, this could be the base for future argumentation lines
[See transcription]
13) 38:34 JB Personal talk

MA
Appendices XII
A5: Media analysis - Transcription and analysis of “cashless future“ news report in ARD Tagesthemen (Table 3)
ARD Tagesthemen: 11th of May 2016, “cashless future” news clip (00:17:20 min bis 00:20:51 min)
line speaker content/text picture, etc. manipulation method
1 Moderator Was wir hier sehen, ist die picture (Five Euro-
Pina Atterlein: Rückkehr eines Klassikers aus coins in the back-
der alten Bundesrepublik. Dort ground, Moderator
war der Fünfer zu DM-Zeiten so Pina Atterlein speaks
beliebt, dass er einen eigenen
Spitznamen hatte: Haiermann.
Heute wurden in Bayern diese
neuen, angeblich fälschungssi-
cheren Fünf-Euro-Münzen vor-
gestellt. Sie werden aufgrund
ihrer eher geringen Stückzahl
sicherlich nur Sammler erfreuen
und könnten bald auch wieder
ganz verschwinden, dann näm-
lich, wenn es gar kein Bargeld
mehr gibt. Hierzulande scheint
das noch nicht so recht vorstell-
bar, in Skandinavien gehört das
nahezu allumfassende bargeld-
lose Zahlen längst zum Alltag.
In Schweden mittlerweile sogar K3. Specific use of language
in Institutionen, die sich übli- progressiveness (Sweden ahead of the rest, “long
cherweise mit Neuerungen nicht since” (“längst”) instead of already
so leichttun. Clas Oliver Rich-
ter: K 2. Same message is coming from different
corners
Appendices XIII
even institutions (official authority) approve cash-

less transactions
2 Speaker: Wer in der Stockholmer Hed- picture church, ma- K.8 Pars pro toto
wig-Eleonora-Kirche etwas chine in church long since obsolete, everywhere: even in churches
spenden will, der gibt seine
Kollekte natürlich mit der Kre-
ditkarte ab, an diesem Automa-
ten. Denn der Klingelbeutel hat
ausgedient. K5. Affirmative performance:
collection bag (“Klingelbeutel”) is not used
anymore
3 Ms. Rigmar Qvar- Wir haben gedacht, dass es et- Ms. Rigmar Qvar- K2. Same message is coming from different
ström, verger of Hed- was einfacher ist, weil früher e- ström, verger of Hed- corners
wig Eleonora-church her viele Besucher kein Bargeld wig Eleonora-church (Rigmar Qvarström)
Stockholm: dabeihatten. Sie mussten erst Stockholm speaks
zum Automaten gehen und an- K3. Specific use of language (cashless: easy)
stehen. Das ist jetzt viel einfa-
cher.
K1. Repetition (cashless handling is easier)
4 Speaker: Vier von fünf Geldtransfers in 1st picture: crowded

Schweden finden inzwischen streets (globalisation
mit Karte statt, Bargeld ist im rush) in Stockholm
Alltag nur noch selten wirklich
nötig.
Appendices XIV
5 Speaker: Immerhin, wer in der Stockhol- 2nd: picture city li- K.7 Pars pro toto: example from everyday life
mer Innenstadt die Toiletten be- brary, look at toilet If this is possible on toilet, everywhere possible
nutzen will oder muss, kann zu- doors with card
mindest immer noch wählen, ob reader and coins slot
er eine Münze einwirft oder das in front of doors of en-
Plastik-Geld nutzt. try
6 Speaker: An den Parkautomaten neben 3rd picture: camera K.7 Pars pro toto
an, da haben sie inzwischen die pans out to the street,
Münzschlitze ganz verschlos- parking meter, which
sen, mit der Kreditkarte wird just works with credit
das Ticket bezahlt. Nicht einmal card and keypad with-
den vierstelligen Pin-Code be- out PIN K9. Exaggeration
nötigt das Gerät.
7 Expert Leif Trogen, Das bargeldlose Geschäft ist für Expert Leif Trogen, K6. relying on experts
Banking Association uns Banker sehr viel kosten- Banking Association
Sweden: günstiger und für die Mitarbei- Sweden speaks
ter weniger gefährlich. Im Jahr
2008 da hatten wir 1008 Bank-
überfälle, im vergangenen Jahr K11. To withhold (information)
nur noch sieben. Probleme mit
der Sicherheit von Kundendaten
will der Banker nicht gelten las-
sen, das habe man im Griff. In-
zwischen gibt es angeblich in
der Hälfte aller schwedischen
Bankfilialen überhaupt kein
Bargeld mehr, und wenn es
nach den Bankern geht, könnte
das bald in allen europäischen
Ländern so sein.
Appendices XV
8 Speaker: Aber nicht alle sind so eupho- Picture: Björn Eriks-

risch. Was tun, wenn die Ban- son is walking down
ken auf einmal die Zinsen erhe- the stairs
ben und man sein Geld nicht
mehr einfach mit nach Hause
nehmen kann, fragt etwas Björn
Ericksson von der Bargeldinitia-
tive:
9 Björn Eriksson, ini- Karten, Karten, Karten… Björn Eriksson from

tiave “cash-rebellion”: ich habe natürlich auch Karten. the initiative „Cash-
Mich ärgert, dass Menschen rebellion“ (cash pro-
diese Karten verwenden müs- ponent) shows his wal-
sen, auch wenn es ihnen nicht let full of cards and
passt, das ist ein demokratisches states
Problem!
10 Speaker: In den Stockholmer Mittags- picture: camera pans

tisch-Restaurants sind sie froh to lunch table in Res-
über jeden, der nicht mit Bar- taurant in Stockholm,
geld vorbeikommt. Kartenzah- subsequent outlook on
lung sagen sie, das ist vor allen card reader, cashier
Dingen einfach und unkompli- (transition statement
ziert. waiter) K1. Repetition
11 Restaurant employee: Wir zahlen inzwischen auch Restaurant employee K2. Same message is coming from different
weniger Gebühren für die Kar- stands at the cashier corners
tennutzung an die Banken, für and says: even vendor thinks that cashless transactions are
uns ist das inzwischen günsti- better
ger.
Appendices XVI
12 Expert Björn Eriks- Es gibt aber viele ältere Men- Expert Björn Eriks-
son (proponent cash): schen, die sich schwer tun mit son speaks
den Karten, aber das sind, denke
ich, die Kunden, die sich für die
Banken nicht mehr lohnen.
13 Speaker: Für viele der Jüngeren ist die Picture smart phone K9. Exaggeration
Bezahlung mit der Kreditkarte Handy, Swish – mo- credit cards already outdated for young generation
inzwischen eher ein alter Hut. bile payment service K1. Repetition
Sie swishen. “Swish“, ein On- (smartphone display) cash is outdated
line-Bezahldienst, mit dem man
z.B. einen Kaffee per SMS vom K. 4 Transformation of opinion into a group-
Handy aus bezahlt, noch einfa- specific slang
cher, noch schneller, noch mo- use of English words in German, modern, sophis-
biler. ticated effect
Experten prognostizieren, dass
Schweden in fünfzehn Jahren K1. Repetition
ein vollkommen bargeldlose
Gesellschaft sein könnte. Es K6. relying on experts
wäre eine der ersten in Europa.
14 Moderatorin Pina At- Um Geld und das Thema Pa- picture: camera pans
terlein: nama-Paper ging es heute auch back into the studio,
im Londoner Unterhaus…. moderator Pina Atter-
lein speaks
Next contribution
Appendices XVII
A6: Media analysis - Transcription and analysis of “cashless future” news report in ZDF heute journal (Table 4)
ZDF heute journal: 04th of May 2016, “cashless future” news clip (00:16:50 min - 00:20:40 min)
line speaker Content/text Picture, etc. Manipulation Method
1 Moderator Wie oft hatten Sie schon einen picture: 500 Euro- K3. Specific use of language
Marietta Slomka: 500-Euro-Schein im Portmonee? note rotates in the rhetorical question, which implies nobody uses
Wohl eher selten, oder noch nie. background, 500 €-note (Who needs large notes?)
Im Normalfall trägt den ja keiner moderator Marietta
mit sich rum. Viele wissen nicht Slomka speaks K9. Exaggeration
mal, wie der Fünfhunderter nobody uses and needs 500€ note
aussieht. Ganz hübsch übrigens:
Zart, lila, mit stilisierten K3. Specific use of language
Bildmotiven aus der Architektur poetic, old-fashioned word usage to describe
des 20. Jahrhunderts. Wenn den 500€-note, not appropriate for this time, implies
schönen Schein aber eigentlich that large notes are outdated.
keiner braucht, warum gibt es den
dann so viele davon, die offenbar K1. Repetition
durchaus benutzt werden. Die
Fünfhunderter machen nämlich
fast ein Drittel des Wertes aller
Euro-Gelder aus. Der Chef der
Europäischen Zentralbank, Mario
Draghi hat dafür offenbar eine K6. relying on experts
Erklärung. Der Fünfhunderter, so Mario Draghi
Draghi, sei ein Instrument für
illegale Aktivitäten, deshalb
werde er abgeschafft. Oliver
Heuchert erklärt die K8. Creation of fear
Appendices XVIII
Hintergründe, und geht der Frage illegal activities

nach, ob vielleicht noch mehr K1. Repetition
dahintersteckt als cash is abolished for crime control (“Kriminal-
Kriminalitätsbekämpfung. itätsbekämpfung)
2 Speaker: Das sind 50.000 Euro. 100 picture: money

Scheine á 500 Euro. Ab 2018 transactions in the
werden diese Banknoten nicht bank, money
mehr ausgegeben. Das hat die machine counts
Europäische Zentralbank heute money
entschieden. Davon werden die
wenigsten etwas bemerken, da K6. relying on experts
laut einer Studie der Europäischen ECB
Zentralbank, mehr als die Hälfte
der Europäer einen solchen noch K.1 Repetition
nie Schein gesehen hat. nobody uses large notes
3 politician Sven Ich weine diesem Schein keine politician Sven K2. Same message is coming from different
Giegold, European Träne nach. Ich finde, den Giegold speaks corners
member, B´90/Grüne brauchen normale Menschen politician Sven Giegold
nicht, der wurde immer wieder
auch missbraucht für K9. Exaggeration
Schwarzgeld, insofern, das der normal person does not need 500 € note
abgeschafft wird, ist eine gute
Sache! K8. Creation of fear
abused for black money („missbraucht für
Schwarzgeld
4 Speaker Unter Kriminellen jeglicher Art picture: 500 Euro- K.8: Creation of fear
aber, ist der 500-Euro-Schein notes in the back- only criminals
ausgesprochen beliebt. ground
Egal ob Drogenhandel, picture: cocaine and
Appendices XIX
enrolled note
picture: prostitute on
Zwangsprostitution, the street at night
(back view)
(picture: 500 Euro-
Glücksspiel, oder Bestechung, note suit pocket
hier zahlt man bar, bewahrt sein pictures: graphics

Vermögen in 500-Euro-Scheinen with sums and suit-
auf, das spart Platz und Gewicht. case carriers (stick-
men) are displayed in
Denn wer eine Millionen Euro in the background
500-Euro-Scheinen transportiert,
der muss nur 2,24 kg tragen. Eine
Millionen Euro wiegen in 200
Hundert Euro Scheinen schon (picture: 2 packages
5,35 kg Gramm, hat man nur with 500 €-
Fünfziger zur Verfügung, dann notes=1million €).
müssen 18,4 kg geschleppt K3. Specific use of language
werden. Specific weight indication implies that
information comes from a reliable source.
Vom zusätzlichen Platz Bedarf

ganz zu schweigen, diese zwei
Päckchen sind eine Millionen
Euro in 500-Euro-Scheinen, der
lila Riese macht das Geld ganz
schön kompakt. Trotzdem gibt es
Widerstand gegen die
Entscheidung der EZB. Sie gilt
vielen als Anfang vom Ende des
Appendices XX
Bargeldes generell.
5 Gerhard Grandke, Ich bin da skeptisch, weil ich Gerhard Grandke,
German Saving Bank fürchte, das ist die Abschaffung speaks:
Association Hesse- des Bargeldverkehrs. Das fängt
Thuringia mit dem 500 Hunderter an, dann
den Zweihunderter abzuschaffen.
Andere sagen, man soll schon an
den Hunderter denken. Und beim
Hunderter sind Sie schon in der
Lebenswirklichkeit der
Menschen. Deswegen glaube ich
nicht daran, dass was
argumentativ ins Schaufenster
gestellt wird, dass es
Kriminalprävention sei, das
glaube ich nicht.
6 Speaker In der Tat kann niemand mehr ins picture: 500, 200-
Bargeld ausweichen, wenn es kein und 100 €-notes in
Bargeld mehr gibt, wenn die the bakcground
Zentralbank zum Beispiel
Negativzinsen auf Guthaben der
Bürger verlangt.
7 Gerhard Grandke, Damit entmündigen Sie den Gerhard Grandke,

Sparkassen- u.: Giro- Bürger und schaffen die German speaks
verband Hessen-Thü- Voraussetzung dafür, dass die
ringen spricht: Bürger enteignet werden können
und dagegen wehre ich mich.
8 Speaker: Es gibt aber niemanden, der notes, coins and little K11. To withhold (information)
hierzulande in der Politik wirklich human figures in the
Appendices XXI
die Abschaffung des Bargeldes background

fordert. Das gilt auch für
diejenigen, die den 500-Euro-
Schein weghaben wollen.
9 politician Sven Das ist die Freiheit der Bürger zu politician Sven
Giegold, European entscheiden, wie sie bezahlen Giegold speaks
member, wollen. Die haben das versucht,
B´90/Grüne: die Menschen immer mehr in
elektronische Bezahlsysteme zu
drängen. Ich finde, der Staat sollte
sich da heraushalten. Es gibt
beide Möglichkeiten und die
Bürgerinnen und Bürger
entscheiden, wie viel ihnen ihr
Datenschutz z.B. wert ist – das
sollte Freiheit sein.
10 speaker: In Sachen Freiheit schrieb Fjodor Picture of Dosto-

Dostojewski, vor mehr als 100 yewsky and his book
Jahren in “The house of the
dead“ in the back-
Aufzeichnungen aus einem ground
Totenhaus: “Geld ist geprägte
Freiheit“. Das ist auch heute noch Picture: Money is
so und gilt auch ohne 500-Euro- coined liberty (text
Schein. and picture) are dis-
played
11 Camera pans back to Wenn allerdings die Zinspolitik Camera pans back to
the studio. der EZB so weitergeht, und es the studio,
Appendices XXII
Moderator Marietta irgendwann auch für normale moderator Marietta

Slomka: Sparer Negativzinsen gibt, könnte Slomka speaks
der 500er-Schein ja doch noch
vermisst werden. Wenn nämlich
die Leute anfangen ihre Konten
leer zu räumen und stattdessen
Bargeld horten. Das mag man
sich lieber nicht vorstellen. Mit
dem Zinsthema geht es jedenfalls
bei Heinz….
Next contribution
Appendices XXIII
A7: Media analysis - Table of operationalisation (Table 5)
Category Definition Coding:

Positive attribution - use of positive expressions to - use of words like:
cashless future describe cashless activities/posi- cheaper, more affordable, bet-
tive attribution/connotation ter, easier, more advanced
-use of words that express nega- - cash money is:

tive aspects about paper money old-fashioned, serves criminal
activities, expensive, unhy-
gienic
Categories of manipulation methods:

Category Definition Coding:
K1. Repetition - Repetition of a message, which - Repetition of the approval
endorses a cashless future. For in- of cashless payment forms
stance, cashless transactions are
positive; paper money is out-
dated/obsolete, and cash should be
limited.
K2. Same message is -Different groups/opinions con- -Different groups (no eco-
coming from different sider/evaluate cashless future as nomic and/or financial ex-
corners positive. perts) say that cash limitation
and abolishment is good.
K3. Specific use of - Cashless future is described as - use of words like:

language positive (faster, easier, better, cheaper/less expensive, bet-
(images and concepts more advanced) ter, easier, more advanced
are related to language)
- Description: disadvantages cash - cash money is:
money (too expensive, outdated) obsolete/outdated, expensive
K4. Opinion is trans- - expressions are transferred into a - use of English words in Ger-
ferred into a group- group-specific slang man news clips, e.g.
specific slang (e.g.: “modern business slang”) cash (cashless society),
digital world
K5. Affirmative - it is necessary to restrict/limit - cash limitation is the only
performance cash money possibility today (TINA)
- no doubts left, affirmative per-
formance - no doubts…
-As we all know…
- There is no alternative (TINA), (Müller 2009: 131)
transition to a cashless society
Appendices XXIV
must happen, there is no other

way
K6. relying on experts - experts consider a cashless fu- - expression from expert/s
ture as positively (consider limitation of cash
money as good, cashless fu-
ture is positive)
K7. Pars pro toto. Va- - positive effect of cashless trans- - cashless payments can be
lidity of a part is ex- actions is extended to an universal realised everywhere
tended to universal truth
validity Pars pro toto.
K8. creation of fear - creation of fear, describing - use of words like:

threats terrorism, money laundering,
corruption, illegal work,
(serves) criminal activities
K9. Exaggeration - reasons for cash limitation are - cashless future is the best
exaggerated way
- exaggerated examples/scenarios - cashless payments are less

for, (which are systematically expensive and much better
planned) vs. real advantages/dis- than cash payments
advantages
- cash has many disad-
vantages (unhygienic, long
queues at the checkout, from
the last century, etc.) and no-
body uses cash/big notes
K10. Conflicts as a - polarised stances and opinions -
source for opinion - two disparaging (brought for-
formation ward/created) positions that cause
conflict
K11. To withhold -important aspects about cashless -risks

(information) payment activities are hidden/kept -total transparency and con-
secret trol
-cash abolition is illegal
K12. To shorten a - the real development or process - omit (important) develop-

story is consciously shortened mental progresses in the
- a story is not told completely, not frame of a cashless future
from the beginning
K13. saying B, and - create a situation/circumstances -

meaning A B to realise A.
Appendices XXV
K14. “Stop thief!” - degrading the enemy to present - a person is blamed for de-
oneself in the best possible light. fects and faults
Refers just to persons

K15. Two stories are - -
told simultaneously.
Linkages and connec-
tions are left to the
reader.
Appendices XXVI
A8: Online survey - questionnaire, German original (Fig. 6)

Appendices XXVII
Appendices XXVIII
Appendices XXIX
Appendices XXX
Appendices XXXI
Appendices XXXII
Appendices XXXIII
A9: Expert interviews - categorised interview transcriptions (Table 7)
Results expert interview: Albrecht Müller
I I Media and public opinion

Albrecht Müller
I 3) AM: Ich habe mal so formuliert, dass oft die öffentliche Meinung, damit meine ich,
was die Mehrheit der Leute denkt, dass das gar nicht relevant sei für die politischen
Entscheidungen, es reiche manchmal schon, wenn die Lobby die veröffentlichte Mei-
nung bekommt, also hinter sich bekommt. Da hab ich ein ganz praktisches Beispiel,
was sehr anschaulich war. Wenn die Mehrheit der Journalisten glaubt, dass die Privat-
vorsorge für dieses Alter, ja?
MA: ja
AM: also die Riesterrente und anderes, dass das gut und wichtig sein oder wenn die
glauben das die Erhöhung des Renteneintrittsalters auf 67 Jahre oder gar 70 Jahre rich-
tig sei, dann spielt die gegenläufige Rolle des Volkes gar keine Rolle
MA: Genau, so habe ich Sie auch verstanden. Vielleicht habe ich mich hier ungünstig
ausgedrückt
AM: ja, okay ..und diese totale Manipulation ist möglich1
I 4) 11.30- 12:50
AM: Okay, aber wenn das so ist, welche Verantwortung haben die Medien überhaupt
in unserer Gesellschaft Medien noch in einer demokratischen Gesellschaft?
AM: Die Verantwortung, das ist jetzt vielleicht meine Spezialität, sie hätten die Ver-
antwortung, dafür zu sorgen, dass die politischen Entscheidungen ..ähh..sachlich..äh
und nach Abwägung sachlicher Gründe getroffen werden und nicht nach Interessen ge-
troffen werden2. Ich sehe das so, dass wenn wir von Demokratie reden und wenn wir
von der Rolle der Medien in einer Demokratie reden, dann gehen wir doch auch davon
aus, dass in diesem ..mmmhh... Spiel von Meinungen und Gegenmeinungen am Ende
sich etwas herauskristallisiert, was der Mehrheit dient oder was in der Sache richtig ist.
(kurzes Telefongespräch)
13:00 – 14:45
1 Total manipulation is possible in Germany. Public opinion (responsibility media) is more important than the popular opinion
2 Responsibility media: ensure that political decisions are made objectively (>German media does not fulfill its responsibility)
Appendices XXXIV
AM: ..also wir gehen ja davon aus, dass Demokratie ja gut ist, auch deshalb weil es zu
guten Entscheidungen führt, wir gehen ja nicht nur davon aus, weil es sich da beson-
ders schön lebt oder sowas, das im Willensbildungsprozess zwischen Parteien Medien,
Politikern und Leuten dass dort also gute Entscheidungen getroffen werden..
MA: Entscheidungen, die sich an der Mehrheit des Volkes, dem Volkswillen orientie-
ren?
AM: an der Mehrheit orientiert, aber auch an der Sache, aber auch an den Sachge-
sichtspunkten..also zumindest in der parlamentarischen Demokratie geht man davon
aus, dass möglicherweise die Sache eine andere Antwort verlangt, als die Mehrheit
denkt.
MA: okay
AM: Das ist durchaus denkbar. Und aber dass das sachlich Richtige eine Rolle spielt
und nicht nur die Lobby und nicht nur Interessen3, was ich halt weiter beobachtet habe
ist, was Herr Mausfeld auf seiner Seite beobachtet hat, dass bei ganz zentralen Fragen,
da könnte man gleich zum Bargeld usw. kommen, dass bei ganz zentralen Fragen, die
Meinung der Mehrheit keine Rolle spielt. Sondern die Leute, die viel Macht, viel pub-
lizistische Macht und Geld haben..“4
MA: Ja
AM:..schaffen es ihre Interessen durchzusetzen, in der Regel über die Medien, und das
habe ich an vielen Beispielen durchexerziert und belegt, das nenne ich dann Kampag-
nen. Also wir haben die Kampagne gegen Griechenland gehabt5 und auf dem...im Ge-
leitzug dieser Krise kann die Bundesregierung ihre Austeritätspolitik gegen Griechen-
land durchführen. Ja?
MA: Mmm.
AM: Also sparen, sparen, sparen und die müssen Reformen machen, ganz egal, wo die
griechische Jugend bleibt, die können arbeitslos werden, 50% das macht nichts, Haupt-
sache unsere Ideologie und Interessen werden durchgesetzt. Und das können Sie wei-
ter beim Bargeld isses halt so, da gibt’s ne Lobby und die hat sich mit der Politik zu-
sammengetan.6 Die sagen halt, das ist meine Spekulation, der bargeldlose Zahlungs-
verkehr zwingt die Leute oder hält die Leute davon ab, Geld von der Bank abzuheben,
3
Interests of lobby are important
4
Power is hands of people who have journalistic power, popular opinion is not considered in many questions
5
significance manipulation strategies: campaigns for the assertion of interests
6
symbiosis of lobby (economy) and politics in the case of cash abolition (same interests)
Appendices XXXV
und sich es in den Sparstrumpf zu tun, unters Bett oder sonst wohin oder sonst wie auf-
zubewahren und damit wird es keinen Bank Run mehr geben7 und es gibt keine ge-
fährliche Situation, wenn es ökonomisch kritisch wird und diese Gefahr besteht ja im-
mer noch, dann können die Leute kein Geld mehr abheben, weil sie mit dem Bargeld
nichts anfangen können.
MA: Genau. Vielleicht ist das aus meiner Frage nicht deutlich geworden. Natürlich in
einem demokratischen System wäre es ja die Idealvorstellung, dass die Medien die
Aufgabe haben, zwischen dem Volk und den Regierenden zu vermitteln, den Volks-
willen auch zu repräsentieren, aber tatsächlich heute, hat bspw. ein großer Medienkon-
zern eine Verantwortung gegenüber den finanzstaken Geldgebern? Oder gegenüber
den Menschen..?
AM: Ja, er hätte die Verantwortung, aber er kommt dieser ja nicht nach8. Also ich
habe heute Mittag mit dem Chefredeakteur von DWN – Deutsche Wirtschaftsnach-
richten telefoniert. Kennen Sie ja vielleicht die Einrichtung, ja?
MA: Ja, kenne ich
AM: ja, der hat mich nochmal darauf aufmerksam gemacht, was ich in einem Kapitel
über Medien in diesem Buch, der Meinungsmache, schon habe, dass die ganzen Anzei-
gen, die heute vergeben werden, immer schon verbunden sind mit einem Auftrag, et-
was redaktionell für den Anzeigengeber zu schreiben. Wo soll denn da die Verantwor-
tung des Journalisten bleiben?9
MA: Ja
AM: Wenn, also da muss man wieder ganz konkret werden, wenn die Versicherungs-
gesellschaft Allianz AG, das ist jetzt ein konkreter Fall, der wirklich so war, wenn die
BILD Zeitung mit der Allianz AG ein Übereinkommen macht, wonach die Riesterrente
der Allianz AG, die hieß Volksrente, von der Allianz AG nicht nur durch Anzeigen be-
worben wird, sondern auch in redaktionellen Teilen, wenn das sogar vereinbart ist10
MA: Lacher
AM: ..das Dokument kann ich Ihnen geben. Wenn das vereinbart ist, dann hat doch
der Redakteur keine Freiheit, seiner Verantwortung gerecht zu werden..11
7
fear of a bank run as a “unofficial” reason for cash abolition (when banks have to rescued)
8
media not complying with their responsibilities
9
dependencies and agreements in media industry, journalist can´t shoulder their responsibilities a priori
10
dominant economic interests that direct/influence media´s exercise
11
journalist has no freedom to fulfill his responsibility
Appendices XXXVI
MA: Genau, deswegen frage ich, dann könnt man ja, das ist nicht offiziell, aber man
könnte dann inoffiziell sagen, besteht die Verantwortung der Medienakteure in der
Vertretung der Interessen der....Wirtschaft oder der..
AM: Ja, so isses de facto,12 aber die Ideologie ist eine ganz andere
MA: Ja
AM: Wenn Sie jetzt die Auseinandersetzungen sehen, gerade um Russland zum Bei-
spiel, da wird so getan, wir haben die freie Presse, dabei haben wir gar keine freie
Presse.13
MA: absolut
AM: Ja?
MA: Ja (Lacher)
AM: Wir haben eine famose Propaganda, das ist aber der einzige gravierende Unter-
schied..14
MA: Ja
AM: ..und wir haben wahrscheinlich so blöde Leute in den Medien, dass sie das glau-
ben. Also teilweise ja, die führenden Leute glauben das, und es ist auch, sie sehen doch
die Leute, wie sie alle zusammengehören in einer großen Gemeinschaft, wir sind alle
für Frau Merkels offene Arme, ganz egal wie das dann, welche Wirkung das dann hier
hat. Und...und deshalb hat so jemand wie Sarah Wagenknecht es dann sehr schwer,
weil sie ja sagt, da muss auch noch ein Stück Vernunft dazwischenkommen, wir müs-
sen überlegen, wie viele Leute können wir hierherholen, wie können wir die gut unter-
bringen, wie können wir die Kinder versorgen und dergleichen mehr. Diese Sachen
werden ausgeschlossen, wir haben die offenen Arme und das finden diese anderen Me-
dien.. die Medien wunderbar und deshalb ist es eine große Symbiose von Medien mit
der Politik15, und zwar quer durch alle Parteien, also so was wie die All-Parteien-Koa-
lition, was wir momentan haben, das hatten wir noch nie.“
12
media´s responsibility today: representation of economic interests
13
No free Press in Germany
14
excellent propaganda in Germany
15
symbiosis media and politics
Appendices XXXVII
II II Politics and public opinion

Albrecht Müller
II 14) 58:28
MA: Ob diese Idee der Bargeldabschaffung nur zum Wohle der Bevölkerung initiiert
und dieser Plan aufgestellt worden ist, oder ob es da eben auch vielleicht eine Diskre-
panz gibt zwischen denen, die das massiv befürworten und denen, die das am Ende
austragen müssen?
14) 01:01:59-01:03:06
AM: […] also ich sehe als großen Hintergrund, zumindest bei einer Gruppierung und
da gehört die Politik mit dazu, dass die Lage unserer Banken, und zwar sehr vieler
Banken in Europa und in den USA, aber bei uns ganz massiv, dass die so schlecht ist,
dass die so viele, was wir jetzt gesehen haben bei der Deutschen Bank so viele faule
Forderungen in ihren Bilanzen haben, dass man Angst hat vor einem Bank Run 16. Und
der Bank Run funktioniert ja nur, wenn Sie .. das dabei belassen, dass Sie unendlich
Bargeld abheben können, wenn das begrenzt ist, wenn Bargeld begrenzt ist in seiner
Stückelung und dergleichen. Also, dass es große Scheine nicht mehr gibt, dann wird
das ja alles schwieriger17. Also in 5-Euro-Scheinen 1 Millionen Euro abzuholen, das
ist schon so ein Paket, und das trage ich dann nicht mehr ganz so leicht, wo man mit
500-Hundertern das ja so macht. Ja, ok, da gibt es viele Gründe […] um zu signalisie-
ren, dass ich diesen Bankensektor für überdimensioniert halte und das ist wiederum
eine Gefahr; wenn Sie auf Dauer Ihre Kosten nicht tragen können, nicht mal Ihre Per-
sonalkosten, dann wird es ja immer schlechter mit der Bilanz, und dann kann der Zu-
sammenbruch irgendwann kommen. Das ist einer der Gründe, warum man Bargeld ab-
schaffen will“
II 7) 31:45
MA: Kann diese Symbiose aus Politik und Wirtschaft Ihrer Meinung nach noch als de-
mokratisch bezeichnet werden?
7) 31:54
16
avoid a bank run as one of the interest behind cash abolition, cash limitation as a first step of complicating the use of
money
17
manipulation strategy cashless future: gradual limitation of cash money
Appendices XXXVIII
AM: Nee, ich halte das nicht für demokratisch18! … Also gut, das ist nicht neu. Wenn
so systematisch manipuliert wird, wenn so systematisch Kampagnen der Meinungsbe-
einflussung gefahren werden, dann, und wenn ganz wichtige Lebensbereiche der Men-
schen von Manipulation geprägt sind19, also nehmen Sie die Berliner, die Wasserver-
sorgung wurde privatisiert, da wurde kein Schwein gefragt, 20das wurde mit einer riesi-
gen Kampagne gemacht und dahinter stecken dicke Interessen21…und Gott sein Dank
gab es eine Gegenbewegung, das war dann auch eine Kampagne und wurde wieder
eingedämmt und, aber Sie können davon ausgehen, dass ganz vieles, ob das jetzt die
Wirtschaftspolitik mit ihrer schrecklichen Austeritätsvariante oder die Altersvorsorge
oder die Privatisierung oder die Außenpolitik, es laufen überall Kampagnen.22 Also,
was Sie jetzt halt erleben ….wenn der Aufbau der neuen Konfrontation zwischen Ost
und West massenweise von der NATO mitfinanziert wurde, was glauben Sie die EU
macht ja teilweise sehr viel mehr Propaganda als tatsächliche Politik.23 …Was haben
die mit diesen armen Ländern angefangen?
III III Strategies/methods of Manipulation and opinion formation –

Albrecht Müller
III 8) 24:14:
MA: Wissen Sie, von wem diese Manipulationstechniken ausgearbeitet werden. Das
ist jetzt wirklich an der Wurzel, ne, also bevor es zur Übermittlung geht, wer wirklich
mit diesen Ideen, wer das initiiert und wer das ausarbeitet?
9) -25:54 – 31:38
“Da habe ich auch nicht geforscht drüber, aber wenn es ums konkrete geht, dann ist
ganz klar, dass es da Stäbe, Gruppen von Leuten, die zusammensitzen und überlegen,
wie sie das machen.24 Also, ich habe das ja selbst gemacht, Wahlkämpfer, also ist
mein Buch über den Wahlkampf 1972 für Sie vielleicht auch noch von Interesse.
MA: Ja
18
Symbiosis of politics and economy is undemocratic
19
systematic manipulation today, systematic campaigns of opinion formation
20
Popular opinion was not considered in (e.g.) the privatisation of water supply in Berlin
21
economic interests dominate political campaigns
22
Campaigns everywhere in politics
23
Symbiosis politics and media
24
Staff and groups from media and politics come together to plan a campaign
Appendices XXXIX
AM: Also, wie haben wir das gemacht? Wir haben auch überlegt, später auch als Pla-
nungsleiter im Bundeskanzleramt, haben wir überlegt, wie wir die Leute rumkriegen,
also wie wir sie freundlich gesagt überzeugen, unfreundlich gesagt manipulieren 25.
Jetzt nenne ich mal ein praktisches Bespiel, wir hatten im Herbst…19hundert und 75 ..
festgestellt bei Umfragen, dass entgegen dem allgemeinem Gerede, dass Helmut
Schmidt ein tatkräftiger und leistungsfähiger, effizienter Bundeskanzler sei der Öffent-
lichkeit gar nicht so war, das Leistungsimage war nicht so gefestigt und dass sah man
dann all daran, dass die Meinung der Leute über die ökonomische Lage nicht sehr po-
sitiv war, 25% der Deutschen, das habe ich auch irgendwo noch in den Unterlagen,
waren der Meinung, dass es uns gut geht und der Rest hat gesagt unsicher oder es geht
uns nicht gut. Und dann haben wir zusammen bei einer Klausur der Planungsabteilung
zusammen mit den SPD Leuten überlegt, was machen wir da. Und haben dann gesagt,
die Manipulationsmethode, die ich jetzt auch dokumentiert habe in unseren Videos, o-
der zumindest in den Texten der Nachdenkseiten, B sagen und A meinen, um eine
Meinung zu transportieren, wenden wir jetzt an. Also die Botschaft A wäre gewesen,
es geht uns gut, aber wir sagen B und beachten noch eine weitere Methode der Mani-
pulation, das ist die Übertreibung26. Man übertreibt eine Sache und die Leute, die das
hören, sagen naja gut der Schmidt, es war ja damals Schmidt als Bundeskanzler, aber
hängen bleibt das, was stimmt. Und auf was sind wir gekommen? Wir sind darauf ge-
kommen zu sagen, Modell Deutschland. Im Modell Deutschland, was dann von man-
chen Leuten als Übertreibung verstanden wurde, die anderen Leute waren stolz…aber
es wurde auch als Übertreibung betrachtet, das ist ein weiteres Element, aber es blieb
zumindest hängen, uns geht’s ja gut. Also auch derjenige, der gesagt hat, der Schmidt
soll mal nicht übertreiben, hat am Ende dann geglaubt, ah so schlecht ist es dann auch
nicht.
MA: Ja
AM: ..und dann haben wir unser Ziel, nämlich dass das Leistungsimage von Schmidt
gesteigert, das haben wir damit erreicht.
MA: Ja
AM: Und damit ist Ihre Frage beantwortet, wie geschieht so etwas? Das geschieht in
Gruppen von Leuten, die sich das ausdenken oder bei einzelnen Politikern, die sich das
ausdenken, oder bei Werbeagenturen, die sich das ausdenken27. Werbeagenturen arbei-
ten ganz viel mit Emotionen, und die Emotionen transportieren dann die entsprechen-
den Botschaften und so28.
[…]
25
Planning of manipulation strategies in the Public Relations department of the German schancellery
26
Manipulation methods: „say B, mean A“ and „exaggeration“ in campaign planning under chancellor Helmut Schmidt
27
Groups of people, politicians, or advertising agencies plan campaigns and manipulation strategies
28
Advertising agencies (media industry) works a lot with emotions that transport the message
Appendices XL
AM: Und Sie können da fest davon ausgehen, dass heute für ganz viele Sachen irgend-
welche Werbeagenturen da sitzen, die ihre Truppen dahaben und sich sowas aus-
denken. Und für alle Bereiche, für die Außenpolitik, genauso wie für die Wirtschafts-
politik, für die Entwicklungspolitik…mmmhh oder für Frau Merkel, da ist es ja mal
bekannt geworden, dass sie eine ganz Gruppe da hat, die über Kommunikation nach-
denkt, und wie das geht und wie man über Bande spielt29, das sind…da muss man da-
von ausgehen, dass das noch viel, viel schlimmer ist, viel professioneller ist, wenn man
gutmütig ist, aber ich sage mal viel schlimmer als es in alten Zeiten war, sind Stäbe
immer zugange, die sich ausdenken, wie man die Leute manipuliert.30
III 9) 37:55 – 40:48

MA: Sie haben ja jetzt schon konkreter was zu den Techniken der Meinungslenkung
gesagt, z.B. hatten Sie genannt: Wiederholung, Übertreibung, Ablenkung. Gibt es ir-
gendetwas anderes was Ihnen jetzt auf die Schnelle einfällt?
9) 37:55 – 40:48
AM: Ja, da müssen Sie mal in unsere Videos reingehen, nur als Hinweis, ich sage
Ihnen jetzt mal was mir einfällt und von Bedeutung ist. Eine ganz wichtige Bedeutung
hat in der außenpolitischen Debatte bei uns die Methode, eine Geschichte erst ab ei-
nem bestimmten Zeitpunkt zu erzählen.31
MA: Okay
AM: ..also die Geschichte des Neuaufbaus des Ost/West-Konfliktes wird erzählt mit
der Übernahme oder Annexion der Krim, alles was vorher war, die 4 Milliarden Dollar
von Newland in die Ukraine werden nicht erzählt. ..Ja?!
MA: Ja.
AM: es wird ab und zu mal der Tschetschenien-Konflikt oder diese Sache in Tschet-
schenien erzählt, oder es wird mal Georgien genannt, aber das eher dann auf der einen
Seite. Es wird nicht genannt, die Ausdehnung der NATO dorthin, es wird nicht ge-
nannt: die Verabredungen, die man 1990 getroffen hat und die Erwartungen der Ost-
Politik, man erzählt die Geschichte ab dem Zeitpunkt der Annexion.
MA: Ja
29
Manipulation strategy: play a rail shot
30
Professional staff (in Germany today) that think about manipulation strategies
31
Manipulation method: “to shorten a story”
Appendices XLI
AM: .. und da wird nicht mal die Sache mit dem Maidan mitgebracht. Das ist also eine
ganz klar Methode…eine andere Methode, das hatte ich schon gesagt, ist „“Haltet den
Dieb!“32, das erleben wir sehr oft, dann gibt es die Methode „B sagen und A meinen“,
das hatte ich vorhin auch schon gesagt..und dann…..“
III 10) 40:55 – 44:59

MA: Meine nächste Frage an Sie, Herr Müller, wieso fällt dem Souverän, uns dem
Volk, nicht auf wie unsere Meinung gelenkt und manipuliert wird und warum, das zielt
auch so ein bisschen auf das ab, was Sie eingangs gesagt hatten, warum rebelliert die
Bevölkerung auch nicht?
10)
AM: Husten
MA: Ist diese, auch bezugnehmend auf Prof. Dr. Mausfeld, ist diese Erzeugung der
politischen Lethargie Teil dieser Strategie33, um die Bevölkerung, dass man die Bevöl-
kerung...?
AM: Husten, ja, das ist mit Sicherheit ein ganz wichtiger Teil
MA: Ja
AM: Das ist auch dadurch gemacht worden, ich beziehe mich jetzt auf eine Rede, die
ich in München gehalten habe vor kurzem, die haben wir auch vor kurzem reingestellt,
aber das müssen Sie nicht lesen, ich sage Ihnen das. Man hat ganz klar erkannt, dass
der alte Satz von Brecht: Erst das Fressen, dann die Moral“ stimmt und dass, wenn
man Leute in die Entpolitisierung34 treiben will, wenn man Leute davon abhalten will,
sich um Umweltschutz zu kümmern, wenn man Leute davon abhalten will, sich um
Demokratie und Meinungsmache und Manipulation zu kümmern, dann muss man da-
für sorgen, dass Sie mit Ihrer wirtschaftlichen und beruflichen Existenz so sehr be-
schäftigt sind, dass Sie keine Zeit und keinen Mut haben, sich um diese anderen Sa-
chen zu kümmern35. Das ist ganz klar eine Haltung..und mmh..ich habe das mal bei
Reagan gehört, er hat das mal so gesagt und bei ihm war das ja auch so, dass die Wahl-
beteiligung besonders gering war, als der zum Präsidenten gewählt worden ist. Der hat
die Leute so desinteressiert gemacht..., dass da ganz wenige zur Wahl gegangen sind.
Und heute würde ich es auch so sehen, dass die Leute, die das Land steuern, die wissen
32
Manipulation method: „Stop thief!“
33
Manipulation strategy: creation of political lethargy
34
Manipulation strategy: depolitisicisation
35
Manipulation strategy: keep people busy managing their existence (economically and professionally)
Appendices XLII
ganz genau, junge Leute, die keinen Job haben oder 150 Bewerbungen schreiben müs-
sen bis sie einen kriegen oder nur in Praktikum sind oder nur prekäre Arbeitsverhält-
nisse und befristet Verträge haben, die machen keine Revolution!36 Das sind nur noch
irgendwelche linken Marxisten, die glauben, was sie irgendwo gelesen haben, die mei-
nen, dass einer schlechten Situation eine Revolution folge. Das ist heut ganz anders,
heute werden die Leute mit ein bisschen Futter stillgestellt, dass sie keine Revolution
machen oder sie werden mit Manipulation ...äh...auch so stillgestellt, dass sie niemals
auf die Idee kommen. Also wir haben die Erfahrung gemacht, wir haben es ja, bei uns
kann man es ja belegen, wir haben von ´91, 1% Wahlbeteiligung sind wir inzwischen
in den 60-er Regionen angekommen, ne?!
MA: Ja
AM: Ganz viele Leute sind nicht mehr politisch interessiert, die Parteimitgliedschaften
sind geschrumpft um mehr als die Hälfte, d.h. die Menschen haben andere Sorgen oder
sie glauben der Politik nicht mehr sie haben wirklich dann andere Sorgen, das ist eines
der entscheidenden Dinge. Und das ist m.E. nach bewusst so angelegt, weil das ja v.a.
auch die Unterschicht betrifft, also die untere Schicht ist dann die, die am schnellsten
nicht mehr zur Wahl geht, sich nicht um Politik kümmert. Die kümmern sich nicht
mehr drum.37
III 12) 52:35

MA: Autoren wie Mausfeld und Bernays sagen, dass diese Strategien der Meinungs-
lenkung in demokratischen Systemen notwendig sind, um den Machterhalt zu sichern
[…] Glauben Sie das diese Techniken [für das Funktionieren] in einer demokratischen
Gesellschaft fundamental sind […]?
12) 53:25 – 54:55
AM: […] Sie können ja heute bei uns erleben, dass ein Volk, das noch vor 30 Jahren
zu 75% gesagt hat, nie wieder Krieg, dass die heute wahrscheinlich zur Hälfte schon
sagen, naja also gut, wenn´s sein muss, dann müssen wir auch wieder militärisch tätig
werden. Und das sehen Sie ja, dass das eine gefährliche Veränderung ist, die das statt-
gefunden hat, denn dieses nie wieder Krieg war ein Schutz, ein wichtiger Schutz gegen
die Vereinnahmung des deutschen Volkes für irgendwelche militärischen Geschich-
ten“
III 15) 01:06:24

MA: Nobert Häring behauptet, das seine Bargeldabschaffung die totale Kontrolle und
Abhängigkeit der Menschen zur Folge hat. Und meine Fragen an Sie wäre: wie die
36
Manipulation strategy: drown people in their worries and concerns, keep people busy
37
Manipulation strategy: people are kept busy and drowned in worries, this state causes depoliticisation
Appendices XLIII
Meinung der deutschen Bürger gelenkt wird, um solche Pläne umzusetzen, zu verwirk-
lichen. Wie wird die deutsche Bevölkerung manipuliert, um einer bargeldlosen Zu-
kunft zuzustimmen?
15) 01:06:55 – 01:07:32:
AM: Also, ok, man wird das Thema Steuerhinterziehung, und den Weg zu Steueroa-
sen Geldwäsche wird man hochspielen38. Also, das können Sie sich jetzt richtig vor-
stellen: wenn man eine Gruppe oder einen Stab von Menschen hat, die darüber nach-
denken, wie man das schaffen kann. Solche Stäbe gibt es. Ist doch klar, dass wenn Sie
im Bankenverband sind und das Bundesfinanzministerium und Sie wollen vorbereitet
sein, dann geben Sie halt den Auftrag in so eine PR-Agentur, die sich überlegt, wie
man das am besten macht.39
III 16) 01:08:15
MA: …also werden vorrangig sicherlich positive Aspekte einer bargeldlosen Zukunft
dargestellt, oder?
16) 01:08:23 – 01:08:51
AM: Ja, man wird, klar, ich wüsste nicht, was man sonst machen sollte, ja. Aber na
gut, man wird über die Karte reden, wie toll die sei, das wird eine Hauptpropaganda
sein40, und das ist auch im Interesse derer, die die Karten unter die Leute bringen wol-
len, insofern kann sich ja das staatliche und das Interesse der Banken zusammentun,
und die können zusammen Werbung machen. Wird auch so sein, das ist klar!
III 17) 01:08:58

MA: Welches Zukunftsszenario könnten Sie sich im Fall einer Bargeldabschaffung
vorstellen?
17) 01:09:08-
AM: Ja, man muss dann irgendwelche Ereignisse schaffen, irgendwelche kriminellen
Akten, dass irgendwann mal wieder irgendeiner erschossen wird, der Bargeldtransport
hat. Das gehört mit dazu, man muss irgendwelche Überfälle auf Bargeldtransporte or-
ganisieren.41
MA: Geschichten erfinden, ja?
38
Manipulation method in the case of cash abolition in Germany: “exaggeration“ and “creation of fear”: play up
criminal activities
39
groups, parties, and other political authorities instruct PR agencies that work on manipulation strategies
40
manipulation strategy cashless future: main propaganda element: advantages of cashless transactions are promoted
positively and exaggerated
41
manipulation strategy cashless future: invent stories (e.g. negative, criminal behavior that was caused because of cash
money
Appendices XLIV
AM: Geschichten erfinden! Ja, denke ich schon. Das würde ich machen, wenn ich da
säße.
Appendices XLV
Results expert interview: Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker
I I Media and public opinion

Jörg Becker
I 2) 05:00
MA: Wer ist maßgeblich an Prozessen der Wissensproduktion beteiligt
2) 05:30 min-10:14 […]

dann sage ich zunächst einmal die klassische Antwort und das ist der zweite Teil
eine Relativierung. Also im Medienbereich sind natürlich die Verlage die wichtigs-
ten Wissensproduzenten, an zweiter Stelle kommen die Journalisten, da haben wir
schon einen ersten Konflikt. Ein Medienverleger ist an Profit interessiert, ein guter
Journalist, wenn er wirklich ein guter Journalist ist, dann ist der interessiert an ob-
jektiven Fakten und Nachrichten42. Völlig klar ist, dass beide Interessern konfligie-
ren können, das ist völlig klar. Und da muss man im Einzelfall gucken, welche In-
teressen sich durchsetzen. Aber sicherlich ist das die erste Quelle bei uns, in unserer
Medienlandschaft. Sie müssen sehen, dass hinter den Verlegern und einem einzel-
nen Journalisten auch so etwas stehen wie Nachrichtenagenturen.42
MA: Ja
JB: Das heißt, insbesondere bei internationalen Nachrichten kann ein einzelner Ver-
lag hier in Deutschland nicht wissen, was in Äthiopien oder Bolivien passiert, des-
wegen haben alle Verlage ein Abonnement von Nachrichtenagenturen, wo sie dann
Nachrichten auswählen, so, dass ist sozusagen das klassische Model43l. Das, über
was ich die letzten Jahre geschrieben und neu nachgedacht habe, ist folgendes, dass
wir inzwischen in der Wissensproduktion der Medienlandschaft mit Public Relati-
ons Agenturen völlig neuartige Produzenten haben.44
MA: Ja
JB: Die sind relativ neu, die gibt zwar schon seit vielen Jahrzehnten Public Relati-
ons Agenturen […] , aber die sind im Laufe der Dekaden immer größer und stärker
geworden und haben immer vielfältigere Aufgaben übernommen. Inzwischen belie-
fern Public Relations Agenturen die von mir vorhin erwähnten Zeitungsverlage mit
Material und mit Nachrichten. Man muss wissen, dass sie das selbstverständlich
kostenlos tun.
42
42 - source of knowledge production:
- Publishing houses (profit oriented)
- Journalists (objective new covergae)
Both interests can be un conflict
- New agencies behind journalists and publisher
43
43 - Classical model: publishing houses have subscriptions from news agencies
44
44 - Public Relation agencies as new knowledge producers in media
Appendices XLVI
MA: Okay
JB: Jetzt ergibt sich natürlich folgender Konflikt: auf der einen Seite hat ein Medi-
enverlag ungeheuer viel Personalkosten am Hals, und wenn die Zeitungsauflagen
sinken, wie seit vielen Jahren, dann hat natürlich ein Zeitungsverleger Interesse da-
ran, kostenloses Textmaterial, was ihnen von PR-Agenturen geliefert wird, zu über-
nehmen, weil er dann möglicherweise die Personalkosten reduzieren kann. So ist
das ganz logisch, ganz einfach erklärt, warum immer mehr PR Material bei uns in
den Medien verarbeitet wird und auftaucht. Die Quellen sind bei Public Relations-
Material oftmals nicht angegeben, und ein Zeitungsverlag übernimmt dann Material
und gibt es als sein eigenes Material raus. […]
Und selbstverständlich übernehmen die allermeisten Lokalredaktionen dieses Ma-

terial, was sie kostenlos bekommen, im Maßstab 1:1 und geben es al redaktionelle
Meldung raus. Dieses ist völlig normal so wie ich da das geschildert habe.45
[…]
ja Nachrichtenagenturen, Verlage oder Beides. Die liefern ihr Material in einer ganz
großen Streubreite sowohl an Verlage als auch an Nachrichtenagenturen.
MA: okay, aber jetzt ist doch die interessante Frage, von wem werden die PR-
Agenturen beauftragt? Bzw. was ist da die Quelle, um überhaupt
JB: …das ist völlig klar, hinter den PR-Agenturen stehen private Unternehmen46
MA: ..private Unternehmen, okay
JB: Stellen Sie sich vor, Volkswagen hat zur Zeit die Diesel-Krise, Volkswagen hat
deswegen mehrere PR-Agenturen beauftragt, die Öffentlichkeitsarbeit für das
Volkswagen-Werk zu übernehmen47. So, und deswegen werden unsere Medien seit
vier Wochen mit Material bombardiert, das die ganze Krise Volkswagen leid tut,
dass man dich ändern möchte, das man gelernt habe, dass man auch keine Boni mehr
auszahlt, das ist das Material was VW über PR-Agenturen an die Medien streut. Die
PR-Agenturen werden bezahlt von VW und die PR-Agenturen liefern kostenlos an
Nachrichtenagenturen oder an Zeitungen.
I
3) MA: […] Sie sprechen ja auch von der Homogenisierung der Medien […] in
45
45 - (economic) reasons for homogenisation of media, PR agencies
46
46 - Actors: PR agencies and private companies cooperate (symbiosis media and economy)
47
47 - PR agencies manage public opinion
Appendices XLVII
diesem Fall könnte man ja auf jeden Fall sagen, dass es grundlegend ökonomische
Mechanismen sind, die Homogenisierung..
JB: ..das ist völlig klar, auch bei den Beispielen, die ich beschrieben habe, läuft die
Ökonomisierung darauf hinaus, dass du überall die gleichen Texte liest. 48
MA: Okay
JB: Also, die Personalkosten werden in der Lokalredaktion in Jena genauso einge-
spart wie in der Lokalredaktion in Hamburg, insofern findest du in beiden Zeitungen
das gleiche Material der PR Agentur, die für Aldi arbeitet. Also die Homogenisie-
rung als Resultat von ökonomischen Zwängen.49
JB: ...und ich denke das ist auch relativ logisch, wer betriebswirtschaftlich kalku-
liert oder kalkulieren muss, der muss genau zu dem Ergebnis kommen, was ich
Ihnen eben gesagt habe: Homogenisierung als Resultat von Betriebswirtschaft.
MA: […]
I 4) 14:11
JB: Ich habe einen Wissensproduzenten vielleicht vergessen, […]überlegen Sie
selber, wir haben 16 Bundesländer
MA: Ja
JB: …wir haben eine Bundesregierung, wir haben 17 Regierungen, die ständig Pres-
semeldungen raus geben, die Material rausgeben, Broschüren drucken, ..bücher ver-
öffentlichen, Gutachten in Auftrag geben, all dies ist öffentliche Wissensproduktion,
die selbstverständlich auch permanent in den Medienkreislauf eingegeben wird. Sie
ist möglicherweise genauso wichtig, diese öffentliche Wissensproduktion, wie die
Wissensproduktion der PR-Agenturen50. Man darf die öffentliche Hand vom finan-
ziellen Volumen, was sie hat, diese 17 Regierungen auf keinen Fall unterschätzen.
Möglicherweise kommt man dann auch zu der Idee, dass die Wissensproduktion der
öffentlichen Hand sehr gut passt zu der Wissensproduktion der Public Relations-
Agenturen. Möglicherweise beide Wissensproduzenten eventuell genau die glei-
chen Inhalte produzieren…51
MA: Ja […]
48
48 - economic reasons are essential for homogenisation of media (source of public opinon production)
49
49 - “--“ homgenisation is result of economic constraints
“--“ homgenisation is result of business administration
50 50 - 4th source of knowledge production for public opinion: public sector (federal government + 16 federal states
51 51 - symbiosis knowledge producers (PR agencies and state sector)
Appendices XLVIII
JB: …Das könnte beim Thema Bargeld durchaus der Fall sein, dass beispielsweise
Interessen des Finanzministeriums, Interessen der Steuerverwaltung mit den Inte-
ressen der Banken übereinstimmen. Ich könnte mir für alle drei Akteure vorstellen,
Steuerverwaltung, Finanzministeriums, und Banken, alle drei haben dasselbe Inte-
resse Bargeld abzuschaffen, weil dadurch ein ungeheurer Abbau von Bürokratie
passieren wird.52
MA: Ja..
JB: Das heißt, […] die öffentlichen Wissensproduzenten.
MA: […] man kann ja fast schon von einer Symbiose sprechen kann dieser beiden
Akteure, ne?
JB: Ja, natürlich, ja, völlig richtig. Sie haben eine Symbiose zwischen Politik und
Medien. 53 Und Sie wissen nicht, wer in dieser Symbiose der stärkere ist, und das ist
möglicherweise, wie soll ich das sagen, das ist ein Bettverhältnis, die liegen beide
im gleichen Bett und man, wer aktiv und wer passiv ist, weiß man nicht so genau.
I
6) 17:20
MA: Und zwar Herr Prof. Becker, Sie sprechen in Ihrem Vortrag Krieg in den Me-
dien – Medien im Krieg von der Verbindung von Militär und Journalismus und bzgl.
Der Kriegspropaganda, und ich wollte Sie fragen, ob der Begriff des embedded jour-
nalism auch im Fall der Bargeldabschaffung, auch für die Verbindung von Journa-
listen und …
JB: Ja, aber selbstverständlich, und zwar nicht nur beim Thema Bargeld, ich denke
bei vielen Themen, ist genau dieses der Fall. Sie sollte mal reingucken in das Buch
von Uwe Krüger
MA: das habe ich mir gestern ausgeliehen 54[…]
JB: … weil Sie dort lernen, aber nur bei dem Thema Außenpolitik und Militär, dass
es sowas gibt wie embedded journalism und der findet statt in sogenannten Hinter-
grundgesprächen in Berlin. So, diese Hintergrundgespräche gibt es natürlich für die
52
52 - symbiosis of politics and economy in the case of abolition of cash money: tax administration + finance
ministry + banks have same interests: abolition of cash money (actor manipulation strategies in the case
of abolition of cash money in Germany)
53
53 - symbiosis of media and politics today
54
54 - embedded journalism is also exercised for the case of cash abolition in Germany
Appendices XLIX
gesamte Breite von irgendwelchen Dingen, die politisch interessant sind.55 Selbst-
verständlich gibt es auch eine Veranstaltung der Deutschen Bank, wo ausgewählte
Journalisten eingeladen werden und man ihnen erzählt z.B. die Vorteile bei der Ab-
schaffung von Bargeld. Ich habe dieses Beispiel jetzt erfunden, aber man muss keine
große Phantasie haben, um zu wissen, dass es bei sämtlichen Themengebieten, sämt-
lichen Lobbyvereinen Hintergrundgespräche mit Journalisten gibt. Und diese Hin-
tergrundgespräche werden oft in der Organisation wiederum von PR-Agenturen ge-
macht56. Das machen kurz ja PR-Agenturen oder Unternehmensberatungsagenturen
und die Grenzen zwischen beiden sind sehr dünn. Man weiß manchmal nicht, sind
das jetzt Unternehmensberatungsgesellschaft oder ist das jetzt eine PR-Agentur.
II II Politics and public opinion – Jörg Becker
II 9) 24:46
MA: […] Warum fällt dem Souverän, uns dem Volk nicht auf, wie unsere Meinung
manipuliert wird, und warum.. […] rebelliert die Bevölkerung nicht dagegen?
9) JB: Ja, aber ich denke, die Frage ist falsch. Ihre Beobachtungen, die Sie zugrunde
legen, sind falsch. Die Bevölkerung rebelliert in einem ungeheuerlichen Ausmaß
dagegen, allerdings in einer Form, die Ihnen und mir nicht gefällt. Die Rebellion der
Bevölkerung heißt, wir wenden uns von der Politik ab, wir schlafen, wir gehen nicht
mehr zur Wahl57..
MA: Ja
JB: ..wir schimpfen auf die doofen Politiker, die uns übers Ohr hauen und haben
kein Interesse mehr an Politik. Wir sind Wahl- und Politikmüde geworden. Und das
ist die Art der Rebellion, weil natürlich, die Bevölkerung bei jedem Wahlkampf
natürlich schon längst gelernt hat, dass die Aussagen der Wahlplakate nach den
Wahlen nicht eingehalten werden. Die Leute sind doch nicht doof, die haben leider
die falsche Konsequenz daraus gezogen, indem sie kein Interesse mehr haben und
sich ihrem Privat- und Alltagleben widmen, aber die kapieren das. Also insofern,
denke ich, dass das nicht richtig ist, was Sie eben unterstellt haben. Nur die Form
der Rebellion ist leider keine aktive, sondern eine passiv Erduldende. 58
MA: Ja, na diese Entpolitisierung, absolut, ich hätte das jetzt nicht als Rebellion
bezeichnet, weil Rebellion für mich immer was Aktives ist.
JB: Ja..
55
55 - always background discussions for political topics
56
56 - actors background discussions: lobby association, PR agencies, management consultancy firm and actors from
politics
57
57 - people are tired of politics, passive rebellion
58
58 - people´s rebellion can be described as a passively endured one
Appendices L
MA: Sie sagen ja richtig, es ist ja eher was passives. .. Ist Ihnen Prof. Mausfeld ein
Begriff.. der spricht nämlich auch von der politischen Lethargie ….
JB: Die Frage ist dann, wann schlägt passive Lethargie in aktive Rebellion um.
MA: Genau das wäre die Frage.
JB: Schwierige Frage, Schwierige Frage…das wissen wir nicht, zur Zeit –ähh.. ent-
wickelt sich die politische Lethargie in Richtung Rechtspopulismus, spannender-
weise nicht in Richtung Linkspopulismus
MA: Ja, und muss es vielleicht …. wirklich knallen, damit alle aufwachen?
JB: Im Prinzip Ja. Es ist die Aufgabe einer Regierung, die Bevölkerung so zu ma-
nipulieren, dass man sie kurz vor dem Knall hält.59
MA: ..Lacher
JB: ..ja klar, das ist die Aufgabe der Elite in Berlin und in den sechzehn Bundeslän-
dern, diese Balance zu halten, dass aus passiv nicht aktiv wird60. Das ist ein schwie-
riger Steuerungsprozess, selbst für die Elite, bislang hat sie das recht gut hingekriegt
in Deutschland (ich sage das halbzynisch). Bei der AfD kommt sie zur Zeit ins
Schleudern, ob sie das fort noch schafft. Wir haben bei der AfD, das darf man nicht
vergessen, inzwischen sehr aktive Teile, die prügelnd durch Dresden ziehen, also da
ist das Passive längst in was Aktives umgeschlagen.
10)
29:08
MA: Und wenn wir über den Begriff Elite sprechen, sprechen wir da über die Sym-
biose von Politik und Wirtschaft auf höchster Ebene?
JM: Ja, aber natürlich, wir haben das nun doch gerade erst durchexerziert bekom-
men die letzten Jahre bei der Bankenrettung. Mit dem Argument überlebenswichtige
Infrastukturen sind mit öffentlichem Geld in Milliardenhöhe Banken gerettet wor-
den, deren Manager unfähig sind, oder die so hohes Risiko gemacht haben, dass der
Konkurs äh..in der Haustür stand. Und vergessen Sie nicht die Commerzbank mit
25 % ist nach wie vor in staatlichem Besitz, die.. der Staat hat die Commerzbank
gerettet, hat sozusagen Staatsbesitz durch Aufkauf von Aktien betrieben, und das ist
für eine öhhh.. für eine Gesellschaft..ein Staatverständnis wie in Deutschland natü-
tlich das Aller, allerschlimmste, wenn der Staat auf einmal die Banken übernimmt.
Das ist radikaler Kommunismus. ..Und genau das hat die Regierung getan und zur
59
59 - task of the government to manipulate people in a way that they don´t rebel
60
60 - Government´s responsibility: to manage that people´s passive attitude does not turn into active rebellion
Appendices LI
Zeit gehören 25% der Aktienkapitale der Commerzbank der Regierung in Berlin.
MA: Ja
II
11) 31:53
Paraphrasierung: Benito Mussolini sagte, dass Faschismus seiner Meinung nach die
Symbiose aus Unternehmenswirtschaft und Politik ist. Wäre diese Definition nicht
auch anwendbar auf heutige Verhältnisse? Was sagen Sie dazu?
11) JB: Also, das Zitat von Mussolini, vergessen Sie mal, wer das gesagt hat. Der
Inhalt ist selbstverständlich völlig richtig. 61 Wenn Sie sich abgucken die Symbiose
zwischen Wirtschaft und Regierung bei den Nazis, dann kommen Sie genau auf eine
Symbiose, die möglicherweise, nein, die war sehr viel enger als heutzutage. Und
wenn wir über die Ökonomie der Nazis reden, dann muss man auch wissen, dass
der größte Industriekonzern, nämlich die Göring-Werke in staatlicher Hand waren.
MA: Ja
JB: Die Göring-Werke waren von ihrer ökonomischen Potenz sicherlich, ich weiß
das jetzt nicht ganz im Detail, sicherlich genauso stark, wie die Farbweke Hoechst
oder die alte IG Farben. Das war einer der mächtigsten Konzerne der Welt, der war
in staatlicher Hand.
MA: Ja
JB: Insofern, ich halte dieses Zitat für sinnvoll für eine richtige Beschreibung, das
heißt aber auch, dass ist eine ganz wichtige Konsequenz: der Faschismus ist in den
letzten 200 Jahren der ökonomischen Entwicklung durchaus eine sehr konsequente
Form von Herrschaft gewesen, die in die normalen Muster des Kapitalismus gut
hineingepasst haben.
MA: Ja
JB: Er ist kein ökonomischer Betriebsunfall, weder ökonomisch noch politisch, son-
dern passt hervorragend in die Landschaft des Kapitalismus!
III III Strategies/methods of Manipulation and opinion formation –

Jörg Becker
III 8) 22:35
MA: Lacher…Um überzuleiten zu meiner nächsten Frage Prof. Becker, sind Sie
61
61 - We have a merge/symbiosis of state and cooperate power today (reference B. Mussolini quote)
Appendices LII
auch meiner Meinung, dass Meinungslenkungsstrategien in der politischen Kom-

munikation zur Anwendung kommen?
JB: Ja, aber natürlich, jeder, der das nachlesen will, muss die Bücher aus den 20
und 30 er Jahren aus den USA lesen, das ist der Beginn sowohl der Kommunikati-
onsforschung, als auch der Werbeforschung62, beide haben dieselben Akteure, die-
selben Wissenschaftler, die gleichen Jahre, in denen diese Forschung losgeht, und
dann wird beispielsweise das Wort erfunden von der Kampagnenforschung,63 die
sowohl für Waschmittel gilt, als auch für Politiker und dort gibt es ein paar Regeln.
Eine Regel heißt: ähh.. ein und dieselbe Botschaft dauernd zu wiederholen.64
MA: ..zu wiederholen ja ..
JB: ..das ist ne ganz simple kleine Regel und wir können gerade diese Regel gut
sehen, bei der Kampagne zur Einführung des bargeldlosen Geldverkehrs..
MA: ..mmhh..
JB: kurze, prägnante Botschaften immer wieder.65
MA: okay..
JB: ..das ist das, was Kampagne heißt oder Kampagnenforschung, also die For-
schung über solche Kampagnen.66
MA: Also, jetzt mit Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts, haben Sie jetzt auch auf Theore-
tiker wie Edward Bernays angespielt, oder?
JB: Völlig richtig, völlig richtig. Gerade der ist einer der wichtigsten, wenn ich das
Ganze historisch betrachte…völlig klar. (…) (24:32)
III 12) 36:14:

MA: Was denken Sie, wie die Bevölkerung dazu gebracht wird sich von Scheinen
und Münzen zu lösen? D.h. einer Bargeldabschaffung zuzustimmen?
…
JB: Schwierig, schwierig. Ich weiß das nicht. Ich weiß nicht, wie die Bevölkerung
62 62 - Confirmation thesis: Yes, manipulation methods are applied in the political communication
63
63 - Growing importance of campaigns, and campaign analyses
64
64 - manipulation method: repetition: repeat a message over and over again
65
65 - manipulation method: repetition: short and concise messages over and over again
66
66 - Important field today: analyses and research about how to make campaigns. E. Bernay as a main historical
representative in this field
Appendices LIII
reagiert. Nachdem, was ich gelesen habe und was ich meine zu wissen, gibt es er-
hebliche Widerstände …
… Ich vermute, dass es Widerstand gibt. Das ist die eine Seite. Die andere Seite ist
aber auch, der Widerstand ist möglicherweise…pfff..ich fantasiere jetzt… ich
könnte mir vorstellen, dass es eine Altersvariable gibt. Das Leute wie ich mit 70
Jahren völligen Widerstand leisten, dass aber Jugendliche, möglicherweise ganz an-
ders mit dem Thema umgehen, die nun sozusagen ja auch oft genug ja längst kein
Konto mehr haben müssen, zur Bank gehen müssen, sondern alles digital über ihr
Konto verwalten.67 Das heißt, das sind längst Vorstufen des bargeldlosen Zahlungs-
verkehrs. Angenommen das stimmt, dass es eine Differenz zwischen Alten und Jun-
gen gibt, dann würde aus meiner Sicht daraus folgern, dass die Kampagnenstrategie
versucht, die Jugend anzusprechen68, um sozusagen vorhandene Muster noch zu
verstärken, wissend, dass man die alten nicht ändern kann.
MA: Ja, ..wissend natürlich auch, dass das die Zukunft ist, ne?
JB: Richtig, ja ja klar.
67
67 - Manipulation strategy in the case of cash abolition in Germany: implementation of an age variable (attraction of
young people above all) – Manipulation method: transform into a group specific slang, specific use of language, etc.
67 - Manipulation strategy in the case of cash abolition in Germany: implementation of an age variable (attraction of
young people above all) – Manipulation method: transform into a group specific slang, specific use of language, etc.
68
68 - Attraction of young people primarily, because they are the future, and older people can hardly be changed
Appendices LIV
A10: Expert interviews - Paraphrased Results in relation to research questions, Albrecht Müller &
Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker (Table 8)
Research questions Findings expert interviews
Albrecht Müller:
1- Total manipulation is possible in Germany. Public

opinion (responsibility media) is more important than
popular opinion
A : What is the significance 4 - Power is hands of people who have journalistic power,
of manipulation strategies in popular opinion is not considered in many questions –
the political communication (people who have power, have power to manipulate)
of democratic societies 5 - significance manipulation strategies: campaigns for the
today? assertion of interests
14 - excellent propaganda in Germany
18 - Symbiosis of politics and economy is undemocratic
19 - systematic manipulation today, systematic campaigns
of opinion formation
21 - economic interests dominate political campaigns
22 - Campaigns everywhere in politics
24 - Staff and groups from media and politics come
together to plan a campaign
25 -Planning of manipulation strategies in the Public
Relations department of the German chancellery
26 - Manipulation methods: „say B, mean A“ and
„exaggeration“ in campaign planning under chancellor
Helmut Schmidt
27 - Groups of people, politicians, or advertising agencies
plan campaigns and manipulation strategies
28 - Advertising agencies (media industry) work a lot with
emotions that transport the message
29 - Manipulation strategy: play a rail shot
30 - Professional staff (in Germany today) that think about
manipulation strategies
31 - Manipulation method: “to shorten a story”
32 - Manipulation method: „Stop thief!“
33 - Manipulation strategy: creation of political lethargy
A: What is the significance of 34 - Manipulation strategy: depoliticisation
manipulation strategies in the 35 - Manipulation strategy: keep people busy managing
political communication of their existence (economically and professionally)
democratic societies today? 36 - Manipulation strategy: people are kept busy and
drowned in worries, this state causes depoliticisation
39 - groups, parties, and other political authorities instruct
PR agencies that work on manipulation strategies
Prof. Dr. Jörg Becker:
55 - always background discussions for political topics

Appendices LV
57 - people are tired of politics, passive rebellion

58 - people´s rebellion can be described as a passively
endured one
59 - task of the government to manipulate people in a way
so that they don´t rebel
60 - Government´s responsibility: to manage that people´s
passive attitude does not turn into active rebellion
62 - Confirmation thesis: Yes, manipulation methods are
applied in the political communication
63 - Growing importance of campaigns, and campaign
analyses
64 - manipulation method: repetition: repeat a message
over and over again
65 - manipulation method: repetition: short and concise
messages over and over again
66 - Important field today: analyses and research about
how to make campaigns
E. Bernays as a main historical representative in this field
Albrecht Müller:
6 - symbiosis of lobby (economy) and politics in the case

of cash abolition (same interests)
7 - fear of a Bankrun as a “unofficial” reason for cash
abolition (in case banks must be rescued)
16 – avoid a bankrun as one of the interest behind cash
abolition, cash limitation as a first step of complicating the
B: Which manipulation us of money
methods are used in a 17 - manipulation strategy for a cashless future: gradual
globalised age in order to limitation of cash money
convince the people of a 38 – use of Manipulation methods like “exaggeration“ and
cashless future? “creation of fear”: play up criminal activities
40 - manipulation strategy for a cashless future: main
propaganda element: advantages of cashless transactions
are promoted positively and exaggerated (e.g. use of cards)
41 -manipulation strategy cashless future: invent stories
(e.g. negative, criminal behaviour that was caused using
money)
52 - symbiosis of politics and economy in the case of

abolition of cash money: tax administration + finance
ministry + banks have same interests: abolition of cash
money (actor manipulation strategies in the case of
abolition of cash money in Germany)
54 - embedded journalism is also exercised for the case of
cash abolition in Germany
Appendices LVI
67 - Manipulation strategy for cash abolition in Germany:

implementation of an age variable (attraction of young
people above all) – (Manipulation method: transform into a
group specific slang, specific use of language, etc.)
68 - Attraction of young people primarily, they are the
future, and older people can hardly be changed
Albrecht Müller:
2- Responsibility media: ensure that political decisions are

made objectively (>German media does not fulfil its
responsibility)
3 - Interests of lobby are important
8 - media not complying with their responsibilities
9 - Dependencies and agreements in media industry, so that
the journalist can´t shoulder his responsibilities a priori
10 - dominant economic interests that direct media´s
C: What is the role of media exercise
(in a democratic society) 11 - Journalist has no freedom to fulfill his responsibility
today? 12- media´s responsibility today: representation of
economic interests
13 - No Free Press in Germany
15 - symbiosis media and politics
20 - Popular opinion was not considered in (e.g.) the
privatisation of water supply in Berlin – (media actors in
Germany today do not perform their function)
23 - Symbiosis politics and media
42 - source of knowledge production:

- Publishing houses (profit oriented)
- Journalists (objective new coverage)
Both interests can be in conflict
-New agencies behind journalists and publisher
43 - Classical model: publishing houses have subscriptions
from news agencies
44 - Public Relation agencies as new knowledge producers
in media
45 - (economic) reasons for homogenisation of media, PR
C: What is the role of media agencies
(in a democratic society) 46 - Actors: PR agencies and private companies cooperate
today? (symbiosis media and economy)
47 - PR agencies manage public opinion
48 - economic reasons are essential for homogenisation of
media (source of public opinion production)
49 - homgenisation is result of economic constraints
-“homgenisation is result of business administration
50 - 4th source of knowledge production for public
Appendices LVII
opinion: public sector (federal government + 16 federal

states
51 - symbiosis knowledge producers (PR agencies and
state sector)
53 - symbiosis of media and politics today
56 - actors background discussions: lobby association, PR
agencies, management consultancy firm and actors from
politics
61 - We have a merge of state and cooperate power today
(reference B. Mussolini quote)
Appendices LVIII
A11: Findings media analysis in ARD Tagesthemen´s “cashless future” report (Table 9)
(11th of May 2016 - 00:17:20 min - 00:20:51 min)
Manipulation Findings: Operationalisation

method ARD media analysis
K1. Repetition 4x - repetition of the approval of cashless pay-
repetition: cashless ment forms
transactions are easy,
less complicated, fast,
paper money became
obsolete
K2. Same message is 3x -Different groups (no economic and/or fi-

coming from differ- “even in institutions”, nancial experts) say that cash limitation and
ent corners verger Rigmar Qvar- abolishment is good.
ström, Hedwig-Eleo-
nora-church,
restaurant waiter
K3. specific use of 2x - use of words like:

language positive attribution: cheaper/less expensive, better, easier, more
(images and concepts cashless transactions advanced
are related to lan- are good,
guage) fast, easy, progressive - cash money is:
obsolete/outdated, expensive
K4. Opinion is trans- 1x swishen - Use of English words in German news

ferred into a group- clips, e.g.
specific slang cash (cashless society),
digital world
K5. Affirmative 1x - cash limitation is the only possibility today
performance Cash money has had (TINA)
its day (even in the
church) - no doubts…
-As we all know…
(Müller 2009: 131)
K6. relying on ex- 2x - expert/s consider limitation of cash as
perts -expert: banking asso- good, cashless future is positive
ciation Sweden
- experts say that
K7. Pars pro toto. 3x - cashless payments can be realised every-

Validity of a part is -even in churches where
extended to universal
Appendices LIX
validity Pars pro -toilet and parking

toto. ticket machine work
electronically. If this
is the case here, then
everywhere possible
K8. creation of fear - - use of words like:

terrorism, money laundering, corruption, il-
legal work, (serves) criminal activities
K9. Exaggeration 2x - cashless future is the best way

credit card is an old
hat for young people, - cashless payments are less expensive and
cashless transactions: much better than cash payments
work without difficul-
ties (even without a - cash has many disadvantages (unhygienic,
PIN) long queues at the checkout, from the last
century, etc.) and nobody uses cash
K10. Conflicts as a - - at least two stances about a cashless future

source for opinion are presented and staged.
formation
K11. To withhold 1x -risks

(information) expert says: there are -total transparency and control
no risks and problems -cash abolition is illegal
K12. To shorten a - - omit (important) developmental pro-

story gresses in the frame of a cashless future
Appendices LX
A12: Findings media analysis in ZDF heute journal´s “cashless future” report (Table 10)
(4th of May 2016 - 00:16:50 min - 00:20:40 min)
Manipulation method Findings: Operationalisation

ZDF media analysis
K1. Repetition 3x - repetition of the approval of cash-
-nobody needs the 500 €- less payment forms
note (2)
-repetition: serves crimi-
nal activities
K2. Same message is 1x -Different groups (no economic

coming from different Politician Sven Giegold and/or financial experts) say that
corners cash limitation and abolishment is
good.
K3. specific use of lan- 3x - use of words like:
guage -poetic, old-fashioned cheaper/less expensive, better, eas-
(images and concepts are word usage to describe ier, more advanced
related to language) 500€-note
-rhetoric question (nobody - cash money is:
needs 500€-note) obsolete/outdated, expensive
-specific weight indication
K4. Opinion is trans- - - Use of English words in German
ferred into a group-spe- news clips, e.g.
cific slang cash (cashless society),
digital world
K5. Affirmative - - cash limitation is the only possibil-
performance ity today (TINA)
- no doubts…
-As we all know…
(Müller 2009: 131)
K6. relying on experts 2x - expert/s consider limitation of cash
Mario Draghi (500€-note as good, cashless future is positive
is just used for criminal
activities)
-ECB (European Central

Bank)
K7. Pars pro toto. Valid- - - cashless payments can be realised
ity of a part is extended everywhere
to universal validity
Pars pro toto.
K8. creation of fear 3x - use of words like:

Appendices LXI
illegal activities, crimi- terrorism, money laundering, cor-

nals, black money ruption, illegal work, (serves) crimi-
nal activities
K9. Exaggeration 2x - cashless future is the best way

nobody uses 500€-note,
most people have never - cashless payments are less expen-
seen such a note sive and much better than cash pay-
ments
normal people don´t need
500 € note - cash has many disadvantages (un-
hygienic, long queues at the check-
out, from the last century, etc.) and
nobody uses cash
K10. Conflicts as a - - at least two stances about a cash-
source for opinion for- less future are presented and staged.
mation
K11. To withhold 1x -risks

(information) nobody wants to abolish -total transparency and control
paper money really -cash abolition is illegal
K12. To shorten a story - - omit (important) developmental

progresses in the frame of a cashless
future
Appendices LXII
A13: Model Manipulation Methods of Manipulation used for the promotion of a cashless future in
Germany (Fig. 7)
Appendices LXIII
A14: Online survey - Results to question 18, What is your age? (Fig. 8)
Appendices LXIV
A15: Online survey - Results to question 4, Which print media do you use to inform yourself?
(Fig. 9)
Appendices LXV
A16: Results Online survey - Results to question 4, Which media channels from radio, TV, internet
do you use to inform yourself? (Table 11)
Channel/ program/ station in TV, radio, and internet Frequency

ARD (Tagesschau and Tagesthemen) 39
MDR radio (MDR aktuell, MDR Kultur, MDR Thüringen) 20
Deutschlandfunk (Nova, etc.) 18
Spiegel Online 16
ZDF (Morgenmagazin, ZDF Auslandsjournal, heute Show, heute journal) 15
Zeit online 13
N24 7
Süddeutsche Zeitung online 6
BBC -
From our own corespondents (BBC Radio 4)
taz online 5
Ntv
Deutschlandradio
Hessen Radio (HR4 info, 2, 3) 4
Monitor 3
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung online
Frontal
Deutsche Wirtschaftsnachrichten 2
El País
MSN
Spreeradio (Jochen Trus am Morgen)
Der Freitag
Radio Cosmo
FEFESBLOG
Panorama
YouTube
Le Monde 1
Politico
Last Week Tonight
Thilo Jung
Handelsblatt
Tagesspiegel online
Radiosender Landeswelle
EXTRA3
Telepolis
Heise
Makroskop
3Sat
ARTE
Focus online
bz
Radioeins1
Internazionale (aus Italien aber mit Nachrichten aus aller Welt)
Instagram
Pro 7
Jung& Naiv
Markt
Die Anstalt
Appendices LXVI
KissFM
Berliner Morgenpost 1
Landesweite
Deutsche Welle
Podcast - Die Lage der Nation
Hart aber fair
KenFM
BR 5 Infokanal des Bayerischen Rundfunks1
fr.de
Achse des Guten
RTL
Welt im Wandel
Querdenken im Internet
FFH
1achgut.de
Weltspiegel
Market Moghul
Spiegel
Snob.ru
tvrain.ru
Berliner Kurier
The Guardian
free21.org1
Neues Deutschland
SWR 2
Different reports from NGO´s
Discussion rounds
local radio channels
news magazines
documentations
radio at work (different channels)
other
Appendices LXVII
A17: Results online survey: Answers to question 6, can you think of reasons for cash limitation/abo-
lition? (Fig. 10)
A18: Results online survey: Answers to questions 8a, where in media have you perceived media
coverage about a cashless future? (Tables 7.1 – 7.4)
Table 7.1: cashless future programmes in press/printmedia
Newspaper/print medium Frequency
Spiegel 6
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) 4
Tageszeitung
Die Zeit
Süddeutsche Zeitung 3
Die Welt
Neues Deutschland
Tagesspiegel 2
taz
Mitteldeutsche Zeitung (MZ)
Hessische Niedersächsische Allgemeine (HNA) 1
Leipziger Volkszeitung (LVZ)
Appendices LXVIII
Table 7.2: cashless future programmes perceived in the radio
Radio station Frequency
Deutschlandfunk 14
MDR aktuell 3
Ndr
Fritz Radio 1
Deutschlandradio
FFN
RBB
Inforadio Gespräch politiktalk
Hr4(info b5, - Hr3, - HR info)
Kultursender1
Radio B1
Table 7.3: cashless future programmes in TV
TV channel or programme on TV Frequency
ARD (Tagesschau, Tagesthemen) 13

ZDF (heute news, heute journal) 5
different talkshows 3
Pro7 (news, Galileo)
News (in general)
Handelsblatt 1
Phönix
Monitor
Markus Lanz
Punkt 12 RTL
„Abschaffung des 500€ Scheins -?“
Documentation
diverse Sendungen
Table 7.4: cashless future programmes in the internet
Homepages/programmes in the internet Frequency

Spiegel 6
Facebook 3
NachDenkSeiten 2
Focus.de
Zeit online.de
ZDF: Heute+ 1
Heise
Appendices LXIX
netzpolitik.org
Sueddeutsche.de
Welt.de
N24
YouTube
Deutsche Wirtschaftsnachrichten
fr.de
Tichys Einblick
Alternative Media
Postillion.de
Ntv 1welt “Ohne Papiergeld den Cryptocoins gehoert die Zukunft”
„Bye bye Bargeld“ - Documentary 2016 about cashless future in Sweden (3sat)
“Abschaffung des 500€ Scheins - ?”
A19: Results online survey, Answers to question 8b, how did you perceived the presentation of a
cashless future in media programmes? (Fig. 11)
Appendices LXX
A20: Results online survey - Results to question 8c, which elements have you perceived in media
programmes about a cashless future? (Fig. 11)
A21: Graphic Millennials and expectations of future banking (Fig. 13)

(In: Raconteur 2016)

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Strategies of Manipulation in Democratic Societies in A Globalised Age: Transitioning To A Cashless Society in Germany - Master's Thesis

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Strategies of manipulation in democratic societies

Submitted by Malika Achmedowa

Summer/Winter semester 2017

1st supervisor: Prof. Dr. Boike Rehbein

masses is an important element in democratic society.

A1: Model: The Hidden Persuaders - Techniques of hidden Argumentation, Ständige

BIS Bank for International Settlement

(Höfert, 2014, The hell is cashless)

In this age of globalisation, which is also characterised by extraordinary technological progresses

1.1 Background and research´s objective

1.2 Research problem and significance of the research

1.3 Structure of thesis

2 Conceptual frameworks of the research

2.1 War on cash and steps towards a cashless future

Give me control of a nation's money

and I care not who makes the laws.

–– Mayer Amschel Rothschild, founder of the Rothschild banking dynasty2, 1838

Money is coined liberty

–– Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 1861

2.1.1 Global war on cash5

(The Guardian 2016)

War On Cash ALERT — EU Now Pushing “Restrictions On Payments In Cash

2.1.2 European war on cash and cash abolition in Germany

War on cash in Germany

2.2 Role of media in a democratic society

through the mass media. (Luhmann, 2000, p. 1)

In her model, The Hidden Persuaders - Techniques of hidden/covert argumenta-

2.3 Manipulation strategies and cash abolition in Germany

3 Conclusions and Model

Fig. 2: Model of Manipulation Methods (Müller & Achmedowa 2017b)18

The model Methods of Manipulation builds the theoretical framework of this

Strategies of manipulation in democratic societies in a globalised

What is the significance of manipulation strategies in democratic

Data collection (Triangulation)

Fig. 4: Research design

4.1 Research Questions and Hypothesis

A: What is the significance of manipulation strategies in the political communication of

C: What is the role of the media in a democratic society?

Subtle manipulation strategies of opinion formation are applied in political communication

For this research, methodological triangulation, expert interviews, media analysis,

4.2.1 Expert interviews

The determination of the methodological approach “expert interview” is considered imprecise by

Acquisition of interview partners

The Interview guide is divided into three parts:

4.2.2 Media analysis

Media content analysis is an empirical method to analyse messages in a communication process,

Fig 5.: Step model of deductive category application (Mayring 2000)

4.2.3 Online survey

5 Analysis and findings

5.1 Results for the expert interviews

5.2 Results media analysis

Manipulation method ARD ZDF

K6. Relying on experts 2 2

K8. Creation of fear - 3

K10. Conflicts as a source for opinion formation - -

K11. To withhold (information) 1 1

K12. To shorten a story - -

5.3 Results online survey

overview/control over money (50 responses)