A political 'Strategy of tension'

[JR8]

You know, alarmist pronouncements designed to have the population cling to the devil they know, rather than the one they don't.

I found it an interesting article ... at the least for coining that self-explanatory phrase.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... -ploy.html


Can anyone else suggest other countries where a 'strategy of tension' is maintained?

[taxico]

Can anyone else suggest other countries where a 'strategy of tension' is maintained?

IMO, a recent example can be found in nearby thailand. the "bombs" that were recently set off were not designed to cause much damage... we can assume it will be used as a reason for the state of emergency to remain in force. as for who was responsible for such weak bombings (compared to the fatal bombings in say, late july) is anyone's guess.

opposition MPs in thailand have whined that the government has been "creating situations" in order to maintain the state of emergency.

the strategy of tension is... "...to manipulate popular feeling... by creating... social disruption and uncertainty (so) that the populace would favor the installation of a strong-arm government pledged to restore order...”