--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think what we are confronting now is a…" description: "\"I think what we are confronting now is a new war of ideas. It's not communism versus capitalism, but it is authoritarianism versus democracy and repres..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/965/adam-schiff-10222_authoritarianism_i-think-what-we-are-confronting-now-is-a_2925582.png" --- # I think what we are confronting now is a new war of ideas… ![“I think what we are confronting now is a new war of ideas. It's not communism versus capitalism, but it is authoritarianism versus democracy and representative government. And that is a threat that here in Europe, they feel acutely. They've seen their countries interfered with, bombarded by…” quote by Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/965/adam-schiff-10222_authoritarianism_i-think-what-we-are-confronting-now-is-a_2925582.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/965/adam-schiff-10222_authoritarianism_i-think-what-we-are-confronting-now-is-a_2925582.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/965/adam-schiff-10222_authoritarianism_i-think-what-we-are-confronting-now-is-a_2925582.png) > “I think what we are confronting now is a new war of ideas. It's not communism versus capitalism, but it is authoritarianism versus democracy and representative government. And that is a threat that here in Europe, they feel acutely. They've seen their countries interfered with, bombarded by cyber-attacks, by Russian propaganda, indeed, by Russian troops.” [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker frames contemporary conflict as a clash between authoritarianism and democracy, emphasizing threats like cyber attacks and propaganda. **In simple terms:** Democracy faces new threats from authoritarian forces using cyber and propaganda tools. Key Takeaway Defend democratic institutions. Themes politics security democracy authoritarianism information warfare Mood concerned urgent determined Type analytical political call‑to‑action When to use this quote - policy making - public awareness - media literacy - national security - election integrity Key Concepts geopolitics propaganda cybersecurity Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can protect democratic discourse? - How can societies resist propaganda without stifling free speech? A Different Perspective Complexity of distinguishing legitimate dissent from hostile influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authoritarianism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authoritarianism/) [Bombarded by](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bombarded-by/) [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Communism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communism/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Cyber attacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cyber-attacks/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Propaganda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/propaganda/) [Representative government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/representative-government/) [Representatives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/representatives/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threat/) [Troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troops/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [The problem of an atomic war must not be confused by minor problems such as Communism versus capitalism. An atomic war would kill everyone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-pauling/the-problem-of-an-atomic-war-must-not-be-confused-by-minor-problems/) [Linus Pauling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-pauling/) > [I think art has a right — not an obligation — to be difficult if it wishes. And, since people generally go on from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-hill/i-think-art-has-a-right-not-an-obligation-to-be-difficult-if-it/) [Geoffrey Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-hill/) > [“Therefore it is not arrogance or narrow-mindedness that leads the economist to discuss these things from the standpoint of economics. No one, who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/therefore-it-is-not-arrogance-or-narrow-mindedness-that-leads-the/) [Ludwig Von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [The issue is Socialism versus Capitalism. I am for Socialism because I am for humanity. We have been cursed with the reign of gold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-v-debs/the-issue-is-socialism-versus-capitalism-i-am-for-socialism-because-i/) [Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/) > [“So it’s democracy versus capitalism at this point, friends, and we out on this frontier outpost of the human world are perhaps better positioned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-stanley-robinson/so-it-s-democracy-versus-capitalism-at-this-point-friends-and-we-out/) [Kim Stanley Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-stanley-robinson/) > [“It launched one worker, Eugene Debs, into a lifetime of activism for labor unions and socialism. Debs was arrested for supporting the strike. Two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/it-launched-one-worker-eugene-debs-into-a-lifetime-of-activism-for/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [Every day you are bombarded by so many different things. When you sit down to process everything, it can become interesting visually. You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chath-piersath/every-day-you-are-bombarded-by-so-many-different-things-when-you-sit/) [Chath Piersath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chath-piersath/) > [The entertainment world, television, movies, social media, YouTube stuff, we're so bombarded with so much imagery and such a great sense of inhumanity, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-bochco/the-entertainment-world-television-movies-social-media-youtube-stuff/) [Steven Bochco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-bochco/) > [A general in time of war is constantly bombarded by reports both true and false; by errors arising from fear or negligence or hastiness;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/a-general-in-time-of-war-is-constantly-bombarded-by-reports-both-true/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [ We’re constantly being bombarded by problems that we face and sometimes we can get completely overwhelmed. \[But\] we should always feel like a hummingbird.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangari-maathai/we-re-constantly-being-bombarded-by-problems-that-we-face-and/) [Wangari Maathai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangari-maathai/) > [Despite the obvious emphasis of Scripture (in regard to suffering), we are bombarded by suggestions that the 'successful' Christian living takes place in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/despite-the-obvious-emphasis-of-scripture-in-regard-to-suffering-we/) [Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/) > [Modern women are just bombarded. There's nothing but media telling us we're all supposed to be great cooks, have great style, be great in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/modern-women-are-just-bombarded-there-s-nothing-but-media-telling-us/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [We're constantly being bombarded by insulting and humiliating music, which people are making for you the way they make those Wonder Bread products. Just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/we-re-constantly-being-bombarded-by-insulting-and-humiliating-music/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [ The first time I saw a picture of \[fabled actress\] Ethel Barrymore - she was on Broadway and she was wearing pearls. I thought,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/the-first-time-i-saw-a-picture-of-fabled-actress-ethel-barrymore-she/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [In the garden of gentle sanity, May you be bombarded by the coconuts of wakefulness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/in-the-garden-of-gentle-sanity-may-you-be-bombarded-by-the-coconuts/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) ## More by Adam Schiff > [Too much under the thumb of the Iranians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/too-much-under-the-thumb-of-the-iranians/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [I'm just concerned that as long as this caliphate exists, it provides this magnet for radicalization, and we're likely to see more attacks like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/i-m-just-concerned-that-as-long-as-this-caliphate-exists-it-provides/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [Much has changed since the end of the Cold War that augurs well for the survival of our nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/much-has-changed-since-the-end-of-the-cold-war-that-augurs-well-for/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [While our country has made great strides in breaking down the barriers which for so long denied equal opportunity to all Americans, we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/while-our-country-has-made-great-strides-in-breaking-down-the/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [At the very top state institutions, like UCLA, Berkeley and the University of Texas, however, the trend of downward minority enrollment remains persistent and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/at-the-very-top-state-institutions-like-ucla-berkeley-and-the/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [All of the dirty tricks, basically, the Russians employ to tear down liberal democracy, we need to work together on a bipartisan basis, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/all-of-the-dirty-tricks-basically-the-russians-employ-to-tear-down/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [What disturbed me most, frankly, about the Rod Rosenstein memo, is the fact it was addressed to the attorney general. The attorney general was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/what-disturbed-me-most-frankly-about-the-rod-rosenstein-memo-is-the/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [I would need to see changes in the Iraq governance. Otherwise I don't think strikes are going to have any impact and could be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/i-would-need-to-see-changes-in-the-iraq-governance-otherwise-i-don-t/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [If someone is brought in for an interview, for example, and is asked about their views on things, but has posted things that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/if-someone-is-brought-in-for-an-interview-for-example-and-is-asked/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [And when they have done their job, America must look after and honor its veterans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/and-when-they-have-done-their-job-america-must-look-after-and-honor/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [Notwithstanding these setbacks, the dream of a beautiful American orchestra goes on, and I share Dr. King's faith that each year we move inexorably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/notwithstanding-these-setbacks-the-dream-of-a-beautiful-american/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [A tremendous number of people come to the country legally, but overstay their visas. And there has to be a far stronger mechanism for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/a-tremendous-number-of-people-come-to-the-country-legally-but/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [We need Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work together to fashion a very comprehensive pushback to Russia, not just the cyber-hacking, but their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/we-need-democrats-and-republicans-in-congress-to-work-together-to/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [The Gulf states are happy for us to fight and die. That's good for everybody, but the Americans fighting and dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/the-gulf-states-are-happy-for-us-to-fight-and-die-that-s-good-for/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [That bomb that took down that Russian airliner may have been the size of a soda can. And that bomb killed more people than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/that-bomb-that-took-down-that-russian-airliner-may-have-been-the-size/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) [Explore all 67 Adam Schiff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) ## More Authoritarianism quotes > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“The mission is, not to replace old world mindlessness with new world mindlessness, but to put an end to all forms of brainless authoritarianism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-mission-is-not-to-replace-old-world-mindlessness-with-new-world/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“Therapy requires a collaborative working relationship in which both partners act on the basis of their implicit confidence in the value and efficacy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-lewis-herman/therapy-requires-a-collaborative-working-relationship-in-which-both/) [Judith Lewis Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-lewis-herman/) > [The libertarian can have no truck with 'left' or 'right' because he regrets any form of authoritarianism - the use of police force to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/the-libertarian-can-have-no-truck-with-left-or-right-because-he/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [A noble person stands up as though a theater curtain rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-noble-person-stands-up-as-though-a-theater-curtain-rises/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“Democracy can exist only in the countries where people are brave! Coward nations always live under the authoritarian regimes!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/democracy-can-exist-only-in-the-countries-where-people-are-brave/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“I have been called arrogant myself in my time, and hope to earn the title again, but to claim that I am privy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/i-have-been-called-arrogant-myself-in-my-time-and-hope-to-earn-the/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [We have power... 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Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [It has been well over half a century and I'm glad to say we have taken the right path from authoritarianism to democracy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chen-shui-bian/it-has-been-well-over-half-a-century-and-i-m-glad-to-say-we-have/) [Chen Shui-bian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chen-shui-bian/) > [Subconsciously it is possible to act, consciously it is possible to decide and overconsciously to create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/subconsciously-it-is-possible-to-act-consciously-it-is-possible-to/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [We must nevertheless present all possible interpretations for each observation, so that competing theories can be formulated and defended. In science, as elsewhere, intellectual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-reeves/we-must-nevertheless-present-all-possible-interpretations-for-each/) Hubert Reeves [Browse all 233 Authoritarianism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authoritarianism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think what we are confronting now is a new war of ideas. It's not communism versus capitalism, but it is authoritarianism versus democracy and representative government. And that is a threat that here in Europe, they feel acutely. 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