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5 Examples of Useful Idiot

 , updated on July 21, 2023
Useful idiot is a political term that describes the manipulation of the masses for political gains that only benefit a small elite. This has several variations:

Divide & Conquer

Encouraging the masses to focus on differences between people so that they will not pursue their common interests.

Distract & Conquer

Encouraging big controversies around relatively small issues so that the masses are distracted from larger problems that are more likely to impact their lives.

Bread & Circuses

Encouraging the masses to focus on entertainment over politics. This term implies that the masses will be satisfied with basic sustenance as long as they are entertained.

Spend & Conquer

Encouraging the opposition to spend large amounts of resources to solve minor problems such that resources will not be available for larger problems.

Culture of Fear

Encouraging the masses to spread fear to encourage people to cling to an elite for "protection."

Notes

The term useful idiot is often attributed to Vladimir Lenin but this seems unlikely as it doesn't appear in his written works.
Overview: Useful Idiot
Type
Definition (1)
The manipulation of the masses for political gains that only benefit a small elite.
Definition (2)
An individual who takes political actions that harm their own self-interests and values.
Related Concepts
Next: Divide & Conquer
More about propaganda:
Anecdotal Evidence
Appeal To Authority
Apples & Oranges
Base Rate Fallacy
Big Brother
Communication
Conspiracy Fallacy
Culture Of Fear
Dumbing Down
Fallacies
False Analogy
False Balance
False Dichotomy
False Dilemma
False Equivalence
Glittering Generality
Groupthink
Iconoclast
If-By-Whiskey
Influence
Influencing
Institutional Influence
Labeling
Loaded Question
Media
Media Influence
Media Manipulation
Misinformation
Not Even Wrong
Overcommunication
Overwhelming Exception
Persuasion
Political Influence
Political Strategy
Politics
Propaganda
Push Poll
Red Herring
Reification
Slippery Slope
Straw Man
Thought-Terminating Cliche
Types Of Influence
Useful Idiot
Weasel Words
Whataboutism
Word Of Mouth
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Propaganda

A list of propaganda techniques.

Culture Of Fear

An overview of culture of fear.

Thought-Terminating Cliche

Thought terminating cliches explained.

Big Brother

The definition of big brother.

False Dilemma

The definition of false dilemma with examples.

Tolerance Paradox

An overview of tolerance of intolerance.

Political Strategy

The definition of political strategy with examples.

Iconoclast

The definition of iconoclast with examples.

Overcommunication

The definition of overcommunication with examples.

Communication

A list of communication techniques.

Objectivity

The definition of objectivity with examples.

Management Communication

Common types of management communication.

Meeting Minutes

An overview of the format, purpose and conventions surrounding meeting minutes with complete examples.

Small Talk

The common types of small talk.

Listening

The basic types of listening.

Figurative Language

The common types of figurative language.

Influence

An overview of influence with examples.

Meetings

The common types of meeting.

Intrapersonal vs Interpersonal

The difference between intrapersonal and interpersonal explained.
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