Censorship and mental models

In this paper, we propose a theory under which governments strive for ideological consensus, which they accomplish through shaping shared mental models. The extent of ideological consensus in turn influences the threat of revolution and extent of productive activities as these are understood by elites or interest groups. We use simulations to illustrate how government can manipulate or inculcate subjective beliefs in their citizens through censorship and propaganda. We model these policies as walls that partition “data” available to individuals, and the informational biases created can distort agents’ economic calculation thus decrease their expected utilities. The simulations offer insight into the dynamics of censorship, mass education, and propaganda, as well as insights into cultural assimilation and the limits of mass education.