“Always there has been some terrible evil at home or some monstrous foreign power that was going to gobble us up if we did not blindly rally behind it.”
- January 26, 1880 – April 5, 1964
- American
- General of the Army, Military Leader, Supreme Commander in the Pacific Theater during World War II
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Quote
“Always there has been some terrible evil at home or some monstrous foreign power that was going to gobble us up if we did not blindly rally behind it.”
Explanation
This quote conveys a powerful critique of fear-based political manipulation, where leaders or governments use perceived threats—domestic or foreign—as a tool to demand uncritical unity and obedience. MacArthur suggests that this pattern is not new, but recurs throughout history: whenever dissent rises or scrutiny is needed, an enemy is conjured to silence debate and mobilize the public through fear rather than reason.
By referring to “some terrible evil at home or some monstrous foreign power,” he points to the dual use of internal scapegoats and external adversaries to justify extraordinary actions, curtail freedoms, or shift attention away from deeper systemic issues. The key phrase—“blindly rally behind it”—warns against unquestioning patriotism, where loyalty is demanded not for the sake of principle, but to protect those in power.
In today’s world, this quote remains sharply relevant amid discussions of national security, populism, and media influence. Whether invoked to justify surveillance, military intervention, or suppression of dissent, the exaggeration of threats can be a potent force in shaping public opinion and limiting democratic accountability. MacArthur’s warning is timeless: true patriotism requires vigilance not only against enemies, but against those who exploit fear to demand silence and conformity.
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