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> controlling dissent by just removing a source of it which is not the same as controlling dissent by cracking down

You will have to elaborate on how these two phrasings mean different things i.e. what's the difference between "cracking down" on the sources of dissent and "removing" the sources of dissent, and why you support one and condemn the other (if you do.)

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My bad for being vague with my definitions:

Cracking down - the government suppresses dissent by force.

Removing the source of dissent - this means solving the underlying issue that would otherwise cause the dissent. This would be government/society providing for the needs and desires of it’s population.

I think most would agree that the first is much worse than the second.

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