This tactic has proven very useful and effective. After taking power in an almost-legal fashion, Adolf Hitler needed an excuse for dictatorial rule. His underlings therefore set fire to the Reichstag building, the place where the legislature met. Centuries earlier, Julius Caesar needed to protect the populace of Rome from barbarians. In every society there have been excuses for more governmental power, and the reason has always been protection.
Many folks are sure of what it is, but they all seem to think of it as something different.
There is, however, near unanimity on the solution. So, let me sum up the main points of the smart growth industry. Second, people need to pack themselves into as little space as possible. This used to be decried as congestion, but we are more enlightened now. Finally, mass transit should be mandated so people will end the evils of automobile driving whether they want to or not.