Myths and euphemisms are necessary tools in managing a capitalist democracy

Practically speaking, a democratic country cannot wage war without the popular support of its citizens. A well-constructed myth, broadcast through mass media, can deliver that support even when the noble cause itself seems dubious to the rest of the world.

The “code names” used to designate wars have also become part of the branding process through which war is made to seem noble. Rather than referring to the invasion of Panama as simply a war or invasion, it became “Operation Just Cause.” (Note also the way that the innocuous word “operation” becomes part of the substitute terminology for war). The war in Afghanistan was originally named “Operation Infinite Justice,” a phrase that offended Muslims, who pointed out that only God can dispense infinite justice, so the military planners backed down a bit and called it “Operation Enduring Freedom” instead.

Source:   Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber, Weapons of mass deception, pp. 118-9