Counterparts Quote by Noam Chomsky
“If commissars in Soviet Russia agreed to subordinate themselves to state power, they could at least plead fear in extenuation. Their counterparts in more free and open societies can plead only cowardice.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Power and Fear, 2015
In authoritarian regimes, officials may claim fear to justify actions, whereas in free societies they are often labeled cowardly for similar behavior.
In simple terms: Fear is used as excuse in oppression, cowardice in freedom.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the double standard in how fear is framed.
Themes
politics
power
freedom
fear
responsibility
Mood
critical
analytical
skeptical
Type
political
critical
When to use this quote
- government policy debates
- activist strategies
- media analysis
- public discourse
Key Concepts
political theory
ethics
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate genuine fear from strategic excuse?
- When is caution justified, not cowardice?
A Different Perspective
The claim may oversimplify complex motivations beyond fear or cowardice.
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
