"A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny"

This quote by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn speaks to the idea that when a nation remains in a state of war, it can be used as a reason for oppressive and dictatorial behavior by the government. War can be used as a tool to control the population, as it can be used to justify the implementation of laws and regulations that would otherwise be seen as overbearing. War can likewise be utilized to sidetrack the population from other problems, such as hardship or inequality, by focusing their attention on the war effort. War can likewise be used to increase the power of the federal government, as it can be utilized to increase taxes and military spending. Eventually, this quote is a caution that war can be used as an excuse for overbearing and oppressive behavior by the government, which citizens must understand this possible threat.