"They" have been holding this card for at least a century. John Dewey (of "Decimal System" fame) was one of "Them".

John Dewey Speech 1917

Some one remarked that the best way to unite all the nations on this globe would be an attack from some other planet. In the face of such an alien enemy, people would respond with a sense of their unity of interest and purpose.

I would note this as yet more proof that "They" possess very low powers of creativity (not an insult, a real observation).

More - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD2186Yh0Uc