Country Quote by Bernard Lewis
“In most of the countries in the Muslim world today, most of them are autocratic regimes that are unpopular if not detested by their people. They need a scapegoat and for a long time the imperialist served that purpose.”
About This Quote
The quote observes that many Muslim-majority nations are ruled by unpopular autocratic regimes that use external powers as scapegoats.
In simple terms: Autocratic regimes in Muslim countries often blame outsiders for problems.
Key Takeaway
Recognize scapegoating dynamics in politics.
Themes
politics
authoritarianism
scapegoating
public sentiment
foreign influence
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- analysis of regime stability
- media reporting
- policy making
Key Concepts
Power
legitimacy
propaganda
colonial legacy
nationalism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do scapegoats affect public perception?
- What alternatives exist for regime legitimacy?
A Different Perspective
Scapegoating can oversimplify complex internal issues.
![“Different groups in the [Middle East] drew two lessons from [return of the shah in Iran] - one, that Americans were willing to use both force and intrigue to install or restore their puppet rulers in Middle Eastern countries; the other, that they were not reliable patrons when these puppets were…” quote by Bernard Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/89b/bernard-lewis-11653_middle-east_different-groups-in-the-middle-east-drew_37501.jpg)
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