Unfortunately, there is a tendency among political elites…
“Unfortunately, there is a tendency among political elites to distrust the opinions of ordinary people. They are perceived to base their views on dark instincts and unjustified fears, rather than on rational choices. European voters, however, are highly educated, and it is ridiculous to suppose they can be easily fooled or manipulated.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Political elites often dismiss ordinary citizens' opinions as irrational, assuming they are driven by fear rather than reason.
In simple terms: Elites distrust common people's views, seeing them as fear‑driven.
Question assumptions about public rationality.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- campaign strategy
- public debates
- policy making
- media analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do elites justify distrust?
- What evidence counters this bias?
Elites may underestimate genuine expertise among voters.