Skip to content
quotesby

It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear. While such an economy may produce a sense of seeming prosperity for the moment, it rests on an illusionary foundation of complete unreliability and renders among our political leaders almost a greater fear of peace than is their fear of war.

Douglas MacArthur#7

WarPeacePolicyEconomyFearPropaganda

About this quote

What does it mean?
The country is geared to an arms economy based on fear and propaganda. This creates a false prosperity and makes leaders fear peace more than war.
In plain terms
Our economy depends on fear of war and this makes leaders scared of peace.
What can you take from it?
An arms economy built on fear distorts political priorities.

Where it applies

  • policy analysis
  • economic assessment
  • political critique

Putting it to work

  • critique defense spending
  • challenge war hysteria
  • promote peace

Questions to consider

  • Does defense spending help the economy?
  • How do we reduce fear in policy?

Another view

Defense industries can provide real economic benefits.

More from Douglas MacArthur

  1. Talk of imminent threat to our national security through the application of external force is pure nonsense. Our threat is from the insidious forces working fr…

    Permalink to quote #6
  2. Only those are fit to live who are not afraid of dying.

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. It seems strangely difficult for some to realize that here in Asia is where the Communist conspirators have elected to make their play for global conquest, and…

    Permalink to quote #5

Related quotes

  1. I never felt it was inevitable that we had to go to war.

    Dick GephardtDick Gephardt quote #4
  2. War is sweet to those who have no experience of it, but the experienced man trembles exceedingly at heart on its approach.

    PindarPindar quote #4
  3. 'How to Save Bosnia,' The World and I, July 1994, by Michael Johns.

    Michael JohnsMichael Johns quote #5