Tag Archives: definitions

How we name our enemy’s ideology really matters

All complex thinking requires language; either words and sentences or symbols and equations. In conflicts we particularly need to think clearly. Our chosen words must pass two critical tests:

A. Have we defined the enemy accurately?
B. Will our words unite “our side” or divide it?

In state warfare, the enemy’s name is normally obvious. On 3 September 1939 Britain’s Prime Minister accurately declared that “this country is at war with Germany.”

We called Germany’s ideology Nazism; Nazi being an abbreviation for National Socialist German Workers Party.

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged and | 5 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Chloe
    Her poll rating amongst teachers is awful, & to read the teachers blogs about the reforms she put in place is an eye-opener. Above all else, those calling ...
  • Tom Bailey
    In the 1970’s an American man called Walter Carlos was a serious well established musician, professional in the world of electronic music. At some point he w...
  • Chloe
    'The truth is that our freedoms are being subtly eroded in an era where emotion and sentiment are prized above reason and rationality'... KB...
  • David Allen
    "Starmer failed to communicate the home truths that the country needs to be told. Over promising led to under delivery." This doesn't quite cut it. One, bec...
  • Nonconformistradical
    "which is more than I can say for Ms Badenoch who was shrill and cheap in her remarks" I can't recall ever being impressed with anything she has said......