Terrorism works better as a tactic for dictatorships, or for would-be dictators, than for revolutionaries .
Interpretation
Terrorism is often more effective for authoritarian regimes than for those seeking genuine liberation.
Christopher Hitchens emphasizes that while terrorism is a tactic employed by various groups, it tends to favor oppressive governments or those aspiring to power rather than genuine revolutionary movements. This suggests that oppressive regimes can manipulate terror to maintain control, while true revolutionaries often struggle to gain support and legitimacy through violent means.
In practice
Discussing the impact of terrorism in a political science class.
In a public dialogue with Salman in London he [Edward Said] had once described the Palestinian plight as one where his people, expelled and dispossessed by Jewish victors, were in the unique historical position of being 'the victims of the victims': there was something quasi-Christian, I thought, in the apparent humility of that statement.
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Governments don't control people like they used to.
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