Common Quote by James Alison
“Give people a common enemy, and you will give them a common identity. Deprive them of an enemy and you will deprive them of the crutch by which they know who they are.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Identity and Conflict, James Alison, 2015
A shared enemy creates group identity; removing it leaves a void of self‑definition.
In simple terms: Enemies unify groups; without them, identity fades.
Find positive shared values for identity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- nationalism
- political movements
- community building
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What positive symbols can unite a group?
- How can societies build identity without antagonism?
Overreliance on enemies can cause aggression; alternative unifying narratives are needed.