Unifying With Cooperative Principles
Polarization of public opinion has accelerated in recent years. Throughout history political and military leaders have unified people against others to garner support for conducting civil or foreign wars. In recent years some politicians, without wanting war, have gained loyal supporters by demonizing opposition leaders and their supporters. This strategy is traced back to the philosopher, Leo Strauss (1899-1973). He asserted that “People can only be unified against other people” (Buruma, 6). Over the last three decades or longer Strauss’s teachings and writings have been adapted by some political operatives as a strategy for winning elections.
