"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary"

H. L. Mencken’s sharp observation about practical politics delves into the manipulation of public emotion to maintain control and power. He suggests that political actors deliberately stoke fear among the populace. The process involves creating threats, hobgoblins, that are often illusory or greatly exaggerated. The result is a state of constant social alarm. When people feel endangered, their natural inclination is to look for safety and security, and politicians step in as the guides or protectors, offering solutions or leadership to quell these manufactured fears.

This cycle benefits those in charge by validating their authority and justifying their actions, whether those involve the introduction of new laws, restrictions, or even military endeavors. The sense of urgency generated by perpetual threats ensures that the masses remain dependent on their leaders, often sacrificing critical thinking and civil liberties for perceived security. The populace, distracted and anxious, becomes more malleable, less likely to question motives, scrutinize evidence, or demand accountability.

By highlighting that these threats are “all of them imaginary,” Mencken is cynical about the authenticity of political crises. He implies that most dangers paraded before the public are either invented or grossly overstated. This doesn't mean all threats are false, but rather that the political machinery has a vested interest in amplifying fears to sustain its relevance and control.

Such strategies have played out through history, from the Red Scares to contemporary anxieties over crime, terrorism, or economic collapse. Each era finds its own hobgoblins, suited to the anxieties of the time, but the pattern remains the same: manufacture alarm, propose a solution, and strengthen authority under the banner of public welfare. Mencken’s words remind readers to remain vigilant, to question the reality and magnitude of threats, and to consider who profits from public fear.