Architecture as an art has not only been limited to the aspects of utility and beauty for generations. It is a tool that is used by societies, leaders, and regimes to express ideas and opinions and to shape public perception. Political propaganda often finds its most enduring form in architecture, with structures and urban plans becoming symbols of authority, tools for control, and manifestations of national identity.
The concept of Architecture as a Symbol of Power and Authority.
Throughout history, emperors have wanted to leave behind symbols showcasing their grandeur and authority. They commissioned structures to evoke awe, loyalty, and submission. It is important to note that architecture presents power and reflects the worldview of the period in which it was erected. Whether it is the Taj Mahal or the Colosseum, the basic aim behind architecture has been to dominate and establish eternity through construction.
Consider for example Roman monuments. Roman arches were architectural masterpieces that were symbolic of Rome’s military might. The Colosseum and the Roman amphitheaters were ways of demonstrating Roman power through gladiatorial games and were also used as places for the soldiers to train and engage in mock battles. The same is evident in Nazi Germany. This is clear in the scale of the Nuremberg Rally grounds which had a very rigid symmetrical design that was a representation of German strong-arm control and envisaged order and discipline.
In the Indian context, in Lutyens’ Delhi, the wide, geometric avenues and large government buildings were designed to demonstrate and perpetuate colonial power in India. The blend of Western and Mughal designs in the architecture of structures was a clever strategy of pretending that the colonial masters had embraced the culture of the colonized most subtly. After the independence, these structures were restructured to represent the new and contemporary India, thus highlighting that architectural symbolism changes according to political trends. There was a lot of focus on the design of planned cities like Chandigarh and Bhubaneshwar because they represented a new and modern India. They were symbolic of the journey of a nation from colonial subjugation to freedom.
Urban Planning as a Tool of Control
The role of design as a means of power is also evident in the planning of cities. City planning plays a decisive role in controlling and influencing populations. City layouts and road networks are often conscious decisions favoring one group over another. A good example is Baron Haussmann’s urban renewal project in nineteenth-century Paris. The proposed street widening and re-orientation was not just an aesthetic decision. The wide, straight boulevards facilitated the easy movement of troops and limited the ability of revolutionaries to barricade streets. In this case, the design was an imperialistic decision to suppress or forestall rebellions.
Architecture and Ideological Messaging
Religion and politics are often closely related; hence architecture also enhances religious ideology. The earliest known examples of architecture are monuments of faith. Temples, cathedrals, and mosques have always been deemed sacred and powerful. In ancient times, rulers commissioned large religious structures as this was viewed as a way of gaining the blessings of the gods and winning the hearts of the subjects. On the other hand, in case of foreign invasions, religious monuments were the first to be desecrated to demoralize the locals. Thus, it is understandable that religious architecture can be an effective tool for nation-building and ideological discourse. In today’s India, architectural projects like the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya are examples where the ruling party showcases its political and religious stand to cement its ideology of building a Hindu Rashtra.
Architecture as Propaganda in the Contemporary World
Besides government structures and religious buildings, even modern skyscrapers such as Burj Khalifa in the UAE or Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia exhibit economic power and strategic thinking which enhance political discourse on development. Digital renderings on proposed projects are also leveraged to win the masses. Most large-scale temporary events, for example, the Olympics, which involve extensive new architecture and design, serve to create a positive image of the host country.
Political Architecture and its Implications
Given that architecture is considered to be a tool of propaganda, architects, and designers should be aware of the consequences of their design. Such large projects are not without significance and the ethical considerations of such projects should be looked at in fine detail. It is crucial to avoid the exclusion of any group of people in the design process. It should also take into consideration the history and culture of a nation while keeping sustainability at its core.
Architecture is an inseparable part of the human experience. It showcases our dreams, our anxieties, and our power dynamics. It can embellish governments and rally people, but at the same time also challenges power and gives voice to dissent. Understanding the role of architecture in political propaganda allows us to critically engage with the spaces we inhabit and the messages they convey. In every era, the built environment serves as both a reflection of its time and a force that shapes the future, making architecture a profound and enduring tool of political expression.
References:
Cavanaugh, K. (2023). The Politics of Identity: State-building and Erasure in Modi’s ‘New’ India. [online] Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. Available at: https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2023/12/02/the-politics-of-identity-state-building-and-erasure-in-modis-new-india/ [Accessed 28 Dec. 2024].
Sohal , A. (2021). Architectural Hindutva: The Shri Kaashi Vishwanaath Mandir Precinct Development. [online] www.southasia.ox.ac.uk. Available at: https://www.southasia.ox.ac.uk/files/sohalathesispdf [Accessed 28 Dec. 2024].
Pula, D. and Perna, V. (2023). Architecture as Metaphor: Politics and Aesthetics in the Modernist City. archiDOCT, [online] 11(2). Available at: https://archidoct.scholasticahq.com/article/90384-architecture-as-metaphor-politics-and-aesthetics-in-the-modernist-city.
Pradhan, B. (2012). Architecture as Manifestations of Power. [online] doi:https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.35976.75527.
