Patriotism Quote by Robert Kroese
““Declaring war on Skaal increased patriotism among the people, made them forget about all their other problems, killed off some of the excess population, often resulted in the acquisition of some valuable booty, and — most importantly — relieved Boric’s crushing boredom. It was too bad about the killing, of course, but most of the peasants were probably going to die of plague or starvation anyway.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, 2014
War is used as a tool to distract, unify, and reduce population, while also providing entertainment for leaders.
In simple terms: War distracts and unifies people while killing some.
Key Takeaway
Question war’s true motives.
Themes
politics
war
distraction
population control
leadership
Mood
cynical
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- national crises
- authoritarian regimes
- population management
- leadership boredom
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
propaganda
social cohesion
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the hidden costs of using war for distraction?
- How does propaganda shape public perception?
A Different Perspective
War often creates long‑term trauma and instability.