5 Ways The 'Accuse Your Enemy' Tactic, Falsely Attributed To Karl Marx, Is Shaping Global Politics In 2025

The phrase "Accuse your enemy of what you are doing, as you are doing it," is one of the most viral and potent political maxims of the last decade, yet it is almost certainly a misattribution. As of December 2025, no direct source in the extensive writings of Karl Marx—the 19th-century philosopher and father of Marxism—has been found for this exact quote. Instead, the phrase functions as a chillingly accurate description of a propaganda technique known as "Accusation in a Mirror" (AiM) or political projection, a tactic that has become the defining characteristic of modern, high-stakes political discourse and cognitive warfare worldwide. This powerful strategy, which involves shifting the blame for one's own actions onto an opponent to create confusion and preempt criticism, is not a quote but a playbook. It is a cynical maneuver that, whether consciously or instinctively applied, weaponizes psychological projection to undermine public trust and rewrite historical narratives in real-time.

The Man Behind the Misattribution: Karl Marx's Profile

The persistent, albeit incorrect, attribution of this quote to Karl Marx speaks volumes about the perceived nature of the political movements his philosophy inspired. Marx’s work laid the foundation for *revolutionary socialism* and the *class struggle*, ideologies that often justified extreme political tactics in pursuit of a utopian end.

• Full Name: Karl Heinrich Marx
• Born: May 5, 1818, Trier, Kingdom of Prussia (now Germany)
• Died: March 14, 1883, London, England
• Occupation: Philosopher, Economist, Historian, Sociologist, Political Theorist, Journalist, Revolutionary Socialist
• Education: University of Bonn, University of Berlin (received a doctoral degree in philosophy)
• Key Collaborator: Friedrich Engels
• Most Famous Works: The Communist Manifesto (1848) and Das Kapital (Capital: Critique of Political Economy, 1867–1883)
• Core Philosophy: *Historical Materialism*, which posits that history is the result of material conditions rather than ideals, focusing on the conflict between the bourgeoisie (owners) and the proletariat (workers).

While Marx never penned the viral phrase, his philosophical framework—which viewed society as a perpetual conflict where the ruling class uses ideology to maintain power—provides the intellectual scaffolding for such a ruthless political tactic. The ultimate goal of the Marxist revolutionary was to overturn the existing order, and any means necessary to delegitimize the enemy (the bourgeoisie or the state) could be seen as justified.

The True Origin: A Tactic of Totalitarian Propaganda

The "Accuse Your Enemy" strategy is a textbook example of political projection, a concept also heavily associated with figures far removed from Marx, such as the Nazi propaganda minister, *Joseph Goebbels*, and the American community organizer, *Saul Alinsky*. Goebbels famously described a similar tactic in a 1934 speech, noting that "The cleverest trick used in propaganda against Germany during the war was to accuse Germany of what our enemies themselves were doing." This concept of preemptive blame-shifting became a cornerstone of *totalitarian regimes* throughout the 20th century.

Psychological Projection and the DARVO Playbook

In modern psychology and political science, the tactic is formally recognized by several terms, all pointing to the same mechanism:

• Accusation in a Mirror (AiM): This is the most direct academic term for the technique, where an actor falsely attributes their own motives, intentions, or actions (especially illegal or immoral ones) onto their opponent.
• DARVO: A more specific psychological acronym that stands for Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender. This strategy is frequently used by perpetrators of abuse to confuse observers and shift the focus away from their own culpability by aggressively claiming victimhood.
• Cognitive Warfare: In contemporary military and geopolitical contexts, this tactic is a core component of *cognitive warfare* and *disinformation* campaigns, designed to manipulate public perception and erode trust in established facts and institutions.

The power of this projection lies in its ability to create a state of *post-truth* confusion. By leveling the exact accusation that is about to be leveled against you, you instantly muddy the waters, forcing the public to question the credibility of both sides equally.

5 Recent Case Studies of the 'Accusation in a Mirror' Tactic (2024/2025)

The enduring relevance of the "Accuse Your Enemy" strategy is best seen in its widespread application in high-stakes global conflicts and election cycles in 2024 and 2025. These examples demonstrate the tactic's use to manage public opinion, deflect accountability, and delegitimize opponents.

1. The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Cycle

The U.S. political landscape has become a prime example of the DARVO playbook in action. Throughout the 2024 election, political figures on all sides frequently used preemptive accusations to neutralize criticisms before they could gain traction. For instance, when facing allegations of undermining democratic institutions or spreading *disinformation*, the accused party often immediately counter-attacked by claiming their opponents were the true purveyors of "fake news" or were engaged in "election interference." This constant reversal of roles—where the alleged offender claims to be the victim of a politically motivated attack—is a classic DARVO maneuver designed to exhaust the public and create a persistent state of partisan deadlock.

2. Cognitive Warfare in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe provides a textbook case of *Accusation in a Mirror* on a geopolitical scale. Since the 2022 invasion, Russian state propaganda has consistently employed this tactic to justify its actions. For example, Russia has repeatedly claimed that its military actions are a defense against "Nazism" or "genocide" perpetrated by the Ukrainian government. This projection is a strategic attempt to deflect international blame for its own actions, such as the use of terror tactics, by preemptively accusing the enemy of the very same crimes. This is a clear illustration of how the tactic functions as a tool of *cognitive warfare* to shift the global narrative and maintain domestic support.

3. International Conflict Propaganda (Israel-Gaza)

In the highly charged context of the Israel-Gaza conflict, both sides have been observed utilizing propaganda techniques that resemble *Accusation in a Mirror*. This often manifests in the intense struggle for control over the narrative regarding civilian casualties, humanitarian aid, and military conduct. Actors frequently accuse their opponents of using human shields or committing war crimes, often in response to similar allegations against themselves. The goal is to rapidly delegitimize any evidence presented by the other side, turning every accusation into a disputed, mirrored claim, thereby obscuring accountability and truth for international observers.

4. Global Authoritarian Playbooks

Beyond major conflicts, the tactic is a staple of authoritarian leaders worldwide. In numerous countries, political leaders facing widespread corruption charges or protests against the erosion of democratic norms often use the "Accuse Your Enemy" strategy to maintain power. They accuse pro-democracy activists, NGOs, or the foreign press of being "foreign agents," "traitors," or "enemies of the state" who are attempting a coup. This *deflection of blame* re-frames legitimate dissent as a hostile, externally-funded conspiracy, allowing the regime to justify crackdowns while simultaneously claiming to be the victim of *globalist* interference.

5. The Erosion of Media Credibility

The tactic has profoundly impacted the media landscape. When a government or political faction is accused of controlling or manipulating the media, they often fire back by accusing reputable news organizations of being "state-controlled," "biased," or "fake news." This recursive accusation—an *Accusation in a Mirror* aimed at the fourth estate—has been highly effective in the *Post-Truth Era*. It creates a feedback loop where the public loses faith in all sources of information, making them more susceptible to the carefully crafted narratives of the original accuser. The enduring power of the quote, even as a misattribution, lies in its psychological accuracy. It is a timeless, brutal, and highly effective political maneuver. Understanding this tactic—whether you call it *political projection*, DARVO, or simply the "Karl Marx" rule—is essential for navigating the complex and increasingly hostile environment of modern political discourse and propaganda in 2025.