I always thought that this argument was hogwash. [More]As opposed to arguments that are unimaginative and cowardly? Or those of a subversive who knows what he's doing?
The ignorance-based arrogance, if that's what it is, is a two-edged sword.
On the one hand, it's to our advantage in a basic Sun-Tzu kind'a way--that is, if he truly doesn't know those he would make his enemy.
On the other hand, if that fear he ridicules and disparages ever loses its restraining power, that will make things a whole lot more dangerous for everyone, because people who don't fear an "or else" take risks they otherwise would not.