If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner.
H. L. MenckenRead
Politics has long been a place where fear and loathing are exploited: fear of progress, fear of the unknown, fear of the other, fear of our own neighbors.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights how fear is often manipulated in politics to create division and resistance to change.
S.E. Cuppβs quote suggests that politics exploits human emotions, particularly fear, to maintain power and control. By instilling fear regarding progress, the unknown, and differences among people, politicians can create an environment of hostility and distrust, hindering constructive dialogue and the potential for societal advancement.
Themes
FearPoliticsProgressDivisionControl
In practice
Example use cases
During a political debate, one might use this quote to illustrate how campaigns can create division.
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