IT was noted in the last chapter that truth for com-
munism can run on different planes, an outwardly
simple doctrine comprised largely of slogans and
cliches being supplemented by an infinitely more
flexible, elaborate and obscure set of tenets which can
be manipulated to suit the needs of the inner ring of
communists and so to further the ends of the Kremlin's
policy. This contrast can be regarded as one of levels
of thought. But it is accompanied by a comparable
contrast in the use of language, a contrast between the
meaning of words as used by communists among
themselves and of the same words as understood by
ordinary non-communists.

In recent years this latter characteristic of communist
propaganda has come to be known as double talk.
Its nature and technique are worthy of study.

Communists are fond of talking about 'peace-loving
nations' in contrast with nations ruled by war-mongers;
of democracies as distinct from fascist or capitalist
dictatorships; of free countries as opposed to imperialist
or colonialist or aggressor powers. The nouns and
adjectives in these contrasts have a more or less clear
connotation to the communist's targets at least in the
western world. Democracy means free speech and the
right to choose one's own government; peace means

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