"Part of the reason that the government's fear mongering is succeeding is because so many people are so ignorant, that it is easier for government to frighten people in submission"

James Bovard, a noted critic of federal government overreach, utilizes this quote to express his concern about the relationship in between governmental authority and the basic population. He argues that fear-mongering, or the purposeful usage of worry to influence and manage the general public, is a reliable technique used by federal government bodies. The success of this technique, according to Bovard, is mostly due to the lack of knowledge of the people.

Bovard implies that when individuals lack knowledge or critical thinking skills, they end up being more susceptible to adjustment. Lack of knowledge, in this context, is not just an absence of details, but also a deficiency in the ability to examine, question, and comprehend complex socio-political characteristics. When people are not knowledgeable or are unable to critically evaluate the details presented to them, they are most likely to accept governmental stories without scrutiny or resistance. This predisposition makes it much easier for governments to impart fear, which can cause increased compliance with policies that may otherwise face opposition.

The quote points to a cyclical problem: lack of knowledge leads to susceptibility to fear, which results in approval of potentially manipulative or authoritarian governance. Bovard recommends that for federal governments to maintain control, it is advantageous for them to perpetuate a state of lack of knowledge amongst the populace, thus making fear-mongering a feasible tool for control.

In addition, Bovard's declaration can be interpreted as a require education and empowerment of the general public. By fostering a more educated and critically believing citizenry, society can lessen the effectiveness of fear-based adjustment by governments. This indicates that awareness and education are secrets to withstanding unfair governance and promoting a more democratic and participatory political landscape. Bovard's review acts as a suggestion of the importance of vigilance, education, and crucial analysis in protecting freedom and democracy.