I think governments cannot effectively govern unless an element of fear exists within it's governed populus. So do you think that the governments of USA and UK manufacture (or enhance) threats to it's people... terrorism...cold war...global warming etc?
by 
Wings McClafferty
ANSWERS: 5
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You got it in one!
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I think you go to far in saying that governments *cannot* govern without an element of fear. But fear is an easy and effective tool to make governing easier, and any government is prone to grab hold of this weapon to make life easier. And the worse the government, the more likely they are to make use of this tool. I think current govts in bot USA and UK are weak and incompetent, and have therefore grossly overused this weapon. If governments were more competent, they would have less need of such a bad stick. But as long as we elect leaders for being nice guys not capable administrators, we will not get good governments.
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Yes, but Global Warming is more often than not a scientific theory held by intellectuals opposed to the government. Our government in particular has been very reluctant to recognise it. Consider watching "The Power of Nightmares" by Adam Curtis on Google Video.
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That's a true Machiavellian theory right there. I think all governments create fear. Without fear, there can be no law. People are naturally cunning and deceitful, and no matter how much they love you, in hard times they will have no trouble with betraying you. If they fear punishment by the law, then they will not rise against you. Things like terrorism work differently, but to the same effect. It is used only as an excuse to exercise more control over the people.
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Yes, i do believe so. But in this particular time in history the USA and UK are not manufacturing fears with the sole intention of governing. They are actually more intended to make people scared with real events, build an untrue story around the real event which suits their needs and creates public acceptance for doing some activity which otherwise would be perceived as illegal and non justified such as war, limitation of human rights, patriot act and so on. Terrorism, cold war, global warming are used as justifications. Iran, Russia, China create fear in order to govern using different systems such as imprisonment or public executions of internal enemies.
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