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'Indeed, the ideal for a well-functioning democratic state is like the ideal for a gentleman's well-cut suit- it is not noticed. For the common people of Britain, Gestapo and concentration camps have approximately the same degree of reality as the monster of Loch Ness. Atrocity propaganda is helpless against this healthy lack of imagination.' (Source: A Challenge to 'Knights in Rusty Armor, The New York Times, February 14, 1943)

Arthur Koestler#4

DemocracyPeacePerceptionPropaganda

About this quote

What does it mean?
Good governance goes unnoticed; propaganda needs imagination to work.
In plain terms
Peace works when unseen; fear needs belief.
What can you take from it?
Stability is quiet.

Where it applies

  • governance

Putting it to work

  • policy making

Questions to consider

  • Why does propaganda work?
  • Is invisibility good?

Another view

Dismisses real dangers.

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