Imaginary threat

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

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