Relgion as a social tool, in Dune, is used to rally support for an offworld Duke struggling in what ultimately becomes a game of thrones. Paul-Maud'Dib's personal charisma and the power of faith, tested by the harsh conditions of life on Arrakis, is what ties the Fremen to him and is the source of the fanatic loyalty of the Fedaykin.

It is difficult to imagine this sort of dedication and monstrous group effort without a pervasive religion constantly reinforcing the conviction of its followers. Stepping outside the Dune context, let me put forward the assertion that any mass effort depends in largest part on the dedication of those masses to, if not a religion, some overarching ideal or goal, the advancement for which individuals are to some extent willing, and expected, to sublemate their own interests and rights. Because I fear the invocation of Godwin's Law, I shall not bring up the fanaticism in Germany of the 1930s and 1940s, or the ideology of racial purity (wait a minute. . . hmmm. . .), but think at least on Second World War American responses. Propaganda has been with humanity at least as long as mass democracy, and it is hard to believe that the many leaders since then have all been wrong in estimating its effectiveness in motivating the population. A reasoning, high-minded man might have been pursueded to weld as many airplane wings or to enlist in the military by debates over fascism, the necessity of countering a growing Japanese threat, the duty to protect our allies in Europe, but what really seems to have gotten the American people behind the war effort are pictures of a double headed Hitler and Hojo monstrocity with blood stained lips, tearing down our most recognisable national treasure.

This brings up an ancient question of political philosophy: We think ourselves as humans to be reasonable, more noble and rational than the beasts of the field. Why, then, are we so susceptible to crass demonstrations and so deaf to quiet pursuasion To bring it back to our discussion of Dune: Are the Bene Gesserite and the noble houses right in their estimations of the mob, and are some homo sapiens humans, while the rest are just primates? Frank Herbert seems to think so; Duke Leto's essential estimation of Arrakis and the Fremen prove correct, though it takes his death and the exaltation of his son to the rank of messiah to vindicate him. Paul asks his father, "'How could you win the loyalty of such men?' 'There are proven ways: play on the certain knowledge of their superiority, the mystique of secret covenant, the esprit of shared suffering. It can be done. It has been done on many worlds in many times'" (p. 45). Later, the son consoles the father, "'You lead well. Men follow you willingly and love you.' 'My propaganda corps is one of the best,' the Duke said" (p. 104).