Political fear

Political fear, or fear of other political perspectives, produces a variety of social pathologies; for example, it quashes free expression and debate, censors information, drives causes into demagoguery, and aggravates excessive conservatism.

Fear of being called pro-Communist marred the congressional hearings on the Iran-contra affair. Members of the committees were afraid to put tough questions to Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North because he came on in the guise of an anti-Communist hero.