Now, the vicissitudes that afflict the individual have…
“Now, the vicissitudes that afflict the individual have their source in society. It is this situation that has given currency to the phrase social forces. Personal relations have given way to impersonal ones. The Great Society has arrived and the task of our generation is to bring it under control. The study of how it is to be done is the function of politics.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Societal forces shape individual hardships; politics must manage the collective impact of impersonal relations.
In simple terms: Society creates personal problems; politics should control it.
Key Takeaway
Use politics to regulate social forces for individual well‑being.
Themes
social structure
politics
individual hardship
Mood
concerned
optimistic
Type
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- welfare reform
- urban planning
- healthcare policy
Key Concepts
sociology
public policy
collective responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens influence political control of social forces?
- What limits exist on political power over personal lives?
A Different Perspective
Political solutions can be slow and contested.