It may be laid down as a general rule, that their…
“It may be laid down as a general rule, that their confidence in and obedience to a government, will be commonly proportioned to the goodness or badness of its administration . . . . Various reasons have been suggested in the course of these papers, to induce a probability that the general government will be better administered than the particular governments.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People trust government when it acts justly; good administration fosters confidence and obedience.
In simple terms: Good government earns public trust.
Key Takeaway
Promote fairness to build legitimacy.
Themes
governance
trust
legitimacy
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- public communication
- institutional accountability
Key Concepts
political theory
public administration
Questions to Reflect On
- What measures ensure government fairness?
- How can citizens hold leaders accountable?
A Different Perspective
Trust can be fragile if expectations aren’t met.