Historically, fascist states and theocrosies "killed the intellectuals", why did they do that?

Answer 1

Intellectuals ask thought-provoking questions. No totalitarian state (theocracy or otherwise) can permit the people to think for themselves.

Essentially, it is a fundamental lack of trust in people. Thought-provoking questions might tempt people to rebel.

Answer 2

Yes, this is correct. Rule is maintained by such as this. Those that think are troublesome for Rule to be continued, eventually; or at the very least historically; if left unchecked they prevail with logic and reason. Killing them off is effective and has ripples that reach beyond, into the subjugated population. Most folks, when it gets right down to it; will not die for an idea over a full belly. I'm not familiar with many rebellions that took place were food or standards of living weren't the driving issues. Keep them feed, give them amusement; if need be shoot everyone that has an IQ over 105. We're never very far from that. Power does come out of a gun barrel, perhaps we'll evolve beyond this. So far Democracy looks hopeful, blemishes and all.

Answer 3

historically, they only 'killed the intellectuals' who didn't think along the lines set by the state...This is cause both fascist states and theocracies by nature are supressive systems standing on flimsy mass propagated ideas that wouldn't be able to withstand logical intellectual scrutiny of any kind. When the state is based on an idea- any anti idea's and sources of anti ideas can't be encouraged.

Answer 4

The intellectuals are the ones who brought them to power (this is a repeating pattern, BTW in marxist thought). After they are in power, they don't need the intellectuals anymore (and there is always the possibility that they might bring someone else to power through similar means). So, they are all executed.

Take note useful idiots and liberal scum. Your heads are ALWAYS the first ones on the chopping block, after "the revolution".

Ironically, it's the takeover of Iran by Islam that I have the most sympathy for when this happened. Now, the muslims in Iran are evil pricks, make no mistake. However, the particular brand of intellectual we are talking about here were trained by the soviets in special schools in various soviet bloc countries in terrorism and unconventual warfare. After these communists helped the muslims take over, they were simply too dangerous to let live. One lesson to learn here is that the "intellectuals" are not harmless bookworms but rather violent, and highly dangerous traitors. These people KILL innocents to bring the evil pricks to power. Sometimes, they do this by blocking governments from intervening in genocide (the modus operandi of the american liberal) but often, they engage directly in the killing (Iran, Cuba, Bolivia, etc.)

Answer 5

Intellectuals are spiritual and, well. intellectual leaders in a society, people who could and often did fight back against fascists, and, more importantly, led and encouraged others in this fight. By killing them off the fascists were "chopping off the head" of the resistance.

Answer 6

Well if you were top dog would you want someone knocking you off and taking your place. It was to secure their position at the top. It's not always how smart you are it's how far you are willing to go to retain what you have.

Answer 7

The Americans are doing the same thing in Iraq as we speak. Why are they doing that?

Answer 8

To discourage independent thought?

Answer 9

Because they knew another would arise to shed light...you are the one!

Answer 10

Thinking not permitted - can damage delusion.