Politics hates a vacuum. If it isn't filled with hope, someone will fill it with fear.
Naomi KleinRead
Terrorism doesn't just blow up buildings; it blasts every other issue off the political map. The spectre of terrorism - real and exaggerated - has become a shield of impunity, protecting governments around the world from scrutiny for their human rights abuses.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Terrorism distracts from political accountability and can be used by governments to justify human rights violations.
Naomi Klein's quote highlights the far-reaching impact of terrorism on global politics. It suggests that the focus on terrorism allows governments to evade criticism for their actions, particularly regarding human rights abuses, as the fear surrounding terrorism overshadows other pressing issues that require attention and scrutiny. This defense mechanism reduces accountability, whereby the terror narrative creates a protective barrier for those in power.
Themes
TerrorismPoliticsHuman RightsGovernmentAccountabilityFearNarrative
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about government policies, this quote can illustrate how terrorism is used to divert attention from domestic issues.
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