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About this quote

What does it mean?
Leaders distract the public with military might to manage their dissatisfaction.
In plain terms
Authorities use the army and navy like toys to make unhappy people feel better.
What can you take from it?
Watch for distractions that hide real problems.

Where it applies

  • political commentary
  • media literacy
  • social critique

Putting it to work

  • look beyond distractions
  • question military spending
  • address root causes

Questions to consider

  • What issues are being distracted from?
  • How to focus on real problems?

Another view

Defense forces can provide necessary security beyond symbolism.

More from Emma Goldman

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  2. The State is the altar of political freedom and, like the religious altar, it is maintained for the purpose of human sacrifice.

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  3. The philosophy of Atheism represents a concept of life without any metaphysical Beyond or Divine Regulator. It is the concept of an actual, real world with its…

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