The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum-even encourage the more critical and dissident views. That gives people the sense that there's free thinking going on, while all the time the presuppositions of the system are being reinforced by the limits put on the range of the debate.
Noam Chomsky, in his book "How the World Works," discusses a strategy used to maintain control over public opinion. He suggests that by restricting the range of acceptable viewpoints, while allowing for vigorous debate within those confines, a facade of free thought is created. People may feel they are engaging in critical dialogue, yet the fundamental beliefs of the dominant system remain intact, thus keeping individuals passive and obedient.
This method effectively manipulates the perception of freedom and dissent. The illusion of debate promotes a sense of agency, even though it operates under strict limitations. By shaping the boundaries of discourse, those in power can reinforce their ideology while preventing any significant challenge to the status quo.
