why do governments all over the world have to keep their populations frightened ?

Question

since the fall of communism we have had meteorites and now terrorism - what next?

Answer 1

You only have to read the answers and some of the question on this site to realize that it is the most efficient tool to keep people in line,
too many agree to their liberties being taken one by one, in order to get a spurious feeling of "security".

Fear of a common enemy from outside unites a country like nothing else, and the fear of a hidden enemy within makes them agree with the most appalling abuses of human rights by their gouvernments.

I think terrorism has a lot of mileage left, communism served them well for nearly 50 years.

Answer 2

No, unlike the United States, most countries live peacefully. In my country, Peru, we do not fear terrorism because we defeated it in the 90's. Terrorists in Peru were connected to drug trafficking in the region. We live peacefully with our neighbours. We are roughly 30 million people.

Leaders don't need to keep their people frightened. They need to keep them united. A strong nation is a united nation. The Republicans do this through fear. Other ways to keep your people united is to make them happy or make them work towards a common goal. A good economy and a strong culture keeps people united.

Answer 3

Frightened people ask less questions and this fear makes them more compliant. Let's face it what good is a bloody I.D card going to do to stop extremists bombing anything.
Any 'good' business person will aquire the technology to invent ID's for anyone with the cash to spend.
People are already groomed not to ask questions and are discouraged from thinking for themselves. Just go buy something you don't need to help the rich get richer. we worship their selfishness and greed but despise those who have to beg for an existance.
would you like a shot of my soap box, it's free now!!

Answer 4

"Naturally the common people don't want war, but after all it is the leaders of a country who determine policy and it is always a simple matter to drag people along, whether it is a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, a parliament or a communist distatorship. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country"

Answer 5

You think you are frightened now. If you knew even half of what the government/Int services know you probably wouldn't leave your house.

There are alot of bad people out there and our government (whoever it may be at any given time) are doing an amazing job protecting us and enabling us to lead a decent standard of life.

Answer 6

Fear breeds consumerism. The more fear that is in society, the more people will buy. i.e. a hurricane is coming, better stock up on tinned goods. Anthrax threat, better buy gas masks for the kids. Every possible threat usually has a solution that you can help yourself with by spending money. It is in the governments financial interest to keep people scared.

Answer 7

Corruption... They want more power. Bush, in particular, is trying to get you to believe his absurd stories about "Wars on Terror". Terror cannot be defeated. Someone will want to terrorize someone else where ever you go, so it's not going to end with Bush sending his troops to small countries in the middle east.

Answer 8

Keep the sheep in the pasture is very succinct but if you want to keep your tribe together and remain loyal to the leaders then you create an enemy errr - "war on terror"

Answer 9

Governments do this to distract. To avoid being held accountable for their actions best left away from prying eyes, menaces and threats are found to stampede the sheeple.

Answer 10

Power! So that the government feel in control of the public.