Worsening economic conditions and rising crime and violence in the mixed economy give rise to widespread discontent and fear. The ruling authority, however, finds that it can convert the popular mood into one of loyalty by focusing attention and resources on a struggle against real or imagined enemies, both internal and external. (This technique, we shall see later, is also common in totalitarian socialist societies.) By calling for a united front against the alleged depredations of the "Jews," the "Red menace," "globalism," or other villains, the party in power distracts attention from the problems caused by statist policy and rallies the people to support the ruling régime. If multiple parties are still vying for power, then the successful party is typically the one whose leaders are most adept at uniting their followers despite their differences, and such unity is again most readily established by focusing on a common "enemy." In the reorientation of national objectives toward the defeat of the perceived foe, calls for sacrifice and patriotic fervor (cf. p. 5.4:63), tendencies toward collectivist thinking (p. 5.4:68), and state control over the media are all instrumental.

In order to maintain power in the face of widespread discontent, the ruling authority also finds it necessary to seize private arms and suspend other civil liberties (cf. pp. 5.4:78-9).