In the book "State of Fear," Michael Crichton explores the influence of what he terms the politico-legal-media complex (PLM) over society during the past fifteen years. He describes this complex as more powerful and widespread than previous forms of control, which highlights the intricate relationships between politics, law, and media in shaping public perception and policy.

Crichton critiques how this complex operates, asserting that it manipulates information and public fear to achieve its goals. He suggests that the interplay among these three sectors creates a climate where fear is leveraged to influence behavior and legislation, ultimately leading to a systematic erosion of individual freedoms and rational discourse.