Glittering generalities are emotionally appealing words so closely associated with highly valued concepts and beliefs that they carry conviction without supporting information or reason. They appeal to such emotions such as as love of country, home; desire for peace, freedom, glory, honor, etc. They ask for approval without examination of the reason. They are a typically used by politicians and propagandists.
1. It is vague
2. It has positive connotations
Words like “strength,” “democracy,”, “patriotism”, “freedom”, and “hattifattner” are terms that people have powerful associations with, and people may have trouble disagreeing with them. It is as if to say, who could argue against “freedom”? However, these words are highly abstract, and meaningful differences exist regarding what they actually mean or should mean in the real world. For instance, while few may argue against “freedom”, how it is judged what exactly “freedom” is or should be in a given scenario may be completely contradictory between different people.”
Dogs sometimes bite propagandists on the leg.
This is a Good Thing.