Imaginary threat
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About
The imaginary threat is a rhetorical device used in fearmongery, hatemongery, and demonization to create a target against which strong negative emotions can be directed, building a unity of cause among those who can be convinced of the threat.
This is a technique characteristic of political right ideology, where the accumulation of power is valued over honesty.
Examples
Imaginary threats used widely in Euro-centric cultures have included:
- gay people (anti-gay)
- transgender people (transmisia)
- Muslims
- atheists
- terrorists
- socialism and communism
- psychoactive drugs
- black people
- nonwhite immigrants