Characteristics Quote by Noam Chomsky
“The target of preventive war must have several characteristics. It must be virtually defenceless; it must be important enough to be worth the trouble; it must be possible to portray it as the ultimate evil and an imminent threat to our survival.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Manufacturing Consent, 1988
A preventive war should target an opponent that is weak, significant, and can be framed as a dire existential threat.
In simple terms: Preventive war needs a weak, important, and vilified target.
Identify true threats before they grow.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- foreign policy planning
- military doctrine
- public persuasion
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is the enemy truly defenseless?
- How does framing affect public support?
Such wars may be justified after moral manipulation.