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In the US, "state" has a different meaning from most countries, and "federal" is rather unpopular in certain circles. Hence the term "homeland".

In most times and places, the institution would be called "State Security". Which is a commonly used name for the main instrument of repression in totalitarian countries (for instance Stasi or Securitate, both of which went by the full name "Department of State Security".)

Most free countries have given their national security agency a rather more neutral name and a less powers to distance themselves from such practices. The US has chosen to actually start an agency with that name and give it unprecedented powers. You do the math.



Just because the name is similar to names used in other places doesn't mean it's inherently repressive. Try to look beyond the cover of the book.




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