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Today, America would be outraged if UN troops entered Los Angeles to restore order. Tomorrow they will be grateful! This is especially true if they were told that there was an outside threat from beyond, whether real or promulgated, that threatened our very existence. It is then that all people of the world will plead to deliver them from this evil. The one thing every man fears is the unknown. When presented with this scenario, individual rights will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well-being granted to them by the world government.

Henry Kissinger#12

FearFreedomSecurity

About this quote

What does it mean?
Fear of external threats drives populations to surrender rights for security.
In plain terms
People give up freedom when they feel threatened by the unknown.
What can you take from it?
Security fears often justify authoritarian measures.

Where it applies

  • national security policy
  • public opinion
  • crisis management

Putting it to work

  • monitor emergency powers
  • protect civil liberties

Questions to consider

  • Is freedom worth the risk of insecurity?

Another view

It assumes people will always trade rights for security.

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