Are the social, economic, and political impacts of having villians during conflicts a positive or negative and why?

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:11:07 -0400

It is no surprise that great social, economic, and political changes occur during our county's largest conflicts. During these conflicts, there is usually a face which epitomizes the opposing side. Is the creation or villainization of these individual a positive or negative for our country during times of conflict and why?

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jul 8 at 2015 2:14 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:14:05 -0400

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member -- To defeat your enemy, you must know him.
I think it helps to put a face on the enemy.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 2:14 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:14:29 -0400

I don't know that the face of the enemy in recent actions have had the same effect that those in the past have. Hitler threatened the entire world. The enemies in the ME, while they may talk a big game, don't really have the ability to affect like Hitler did. When your production is forced to output on the scale that it had to in WWII, of course the economy is going to balloon. It also doesn't hurt that we were the only major producer not directly affected by the war. :)

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 8 at 2015 2:20 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:20:56 -0400

People don't like nebulous concepts. They want something concrete to aim at. The villain provides the target at which to aim the public ire. That's not without its problems, but if you need public support, give them SOMEONE to hate.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 8 at 2015 2:24 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:24:09 -0400

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member, I've noticed that war is always more profitable than peace time!

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 8 at 2015 2:29 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:29:55 -0400

I think it's human nature to find "that guy" to blame. Having a face to attach to different issues may help others come to understanding of the problems are. That face is then forever associated with that problem. Just look at the image on this thread. Each of those four faces will be recalled in the history books forever as being "that guy".

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 8 at 2015 2:51 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:51:02 -0400

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member I think is definitely a plus to have the faces of your enemy associated with a war plastered all over the news when it comes to all the factors you mentioned. It has an impact on how we will use all the instruments of national power: Diplomacy, Information, Military, and Economic (DIME)

Response by LTC Ed Ross made Jul 8 at 2015 3:12 PM

LTC Ed Ross — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 15:12:56 -0400

We must define the enemy and that enemy must have a face. Been that way since the dawn of time.