**What is meant by the 'politics of fear'?**
The politics of fear refers to a strategy in which political leaders or parties create or exploit fear among the public to achieve specific goals, such as gaining or maintaining power. This can involve emphasizing threats—real or perceived—such as crime, terrorism, or social unrest, often to justify controversial policies or actions. By instilling fear, politicians aim to provoke emotional responses that can suppress critical thinking and encourage conformity. Such tactics can lead to public support for increased security measures or erosions of civil liberties, raising ethical concerns about the manipulation of public sentiment for political ends.