Re:The purpose is fear (Score 2, Interesting)

People in power are not afraid on your behalf. People in power want to remain in power. For as long as possible with as much power as possible. This requires some draconian laws to be passed in an apparently democratic society. This in turn requires the population to be kept in a state of fear so that they will not rationally consider propostions but will accept them blindly in case the boogyman gets them. It was ever thus...