Democracy and Public Opinion - Edward Bernays

The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic societies. We are governed, our minds are molded, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is the logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. They govern us by the qualities of natural leadership, their ability to supply needed ideas and by their key position in the social structure.

Edward Bernays, Propaganda, 1928