I’ve studied authoritarianism for a very long time – for 40 years – and they’re started by people’s attempts to control the ideological and linguistic territory. – Jordan Peterson
It’s a dirty trick, but an effective one. It’s called projection. In politics, it means blaming someone else for what you’re guilty of. Accusing opponents of your own flaws, to distract from your actions. In American politics, it happens all the time.
- Projection is a tactic used in politics to accuse others of the behaviors one is guilty of, deflecting attention from one’s own actions.
- Institutions, including the media, often employ projection to shape narratives and manipulate public perception.
- This tactic exposes deeper conflicts over truth and reality, turning accusations into tools for controlling the cultural landscape.
You see it with accusations of authoritarianism. Bigotry. Intolerance. The louder the accuser, the more you have to wonder. Are they hiding something? Because while they point fingers, they’re busy censoring speech, shutting down debate. Enforcing their ideology. It’s a classic move. Create a smoke screen, make people look the other way. And it works.
Projection doesn’t stop at individuals. Institutions use it too. Media outlets. Universities. They cry foul about “narrative control” or “misinformation.” But what about their own role? Their own bias? They call others out while pushing their own agendas. That’s not an accident. It’s strategy.
It’s bigger than just hypocrisy. It’s about power. Keeping control. Accuse your opponents, and suddenly, they’re on the defensive. You keep your hands clean. Shift the focus. Protect your image. And make your rivals scramble to clear their name.
Projection is more than politics. It’s a cultural battle. A fight over what’s real and what’s not. It’s about controlling the story. Shaping opinion. Accusations become weapons. The truth gets buried.
If you know the game, you see it for what it is. Rhetorical warfare. Lies dressed up as truth. Don’t fall for it. Understand the tactic. Expose the distraction. Because once you recognize projection, you know how to fight it.
The Morning Muster
