The state — or, to make matters more concrete, the…
““The state — or, to make matters more concrete, the government — consists of a gang of men exactly like you and me. They have, taking one with another, no special talent for the business of government; they have only a talent for getting and holding office. Their principal device to that end is to search out groups who pant and pine for something they can’t get, and to promise to give it to them. Nine times out of ten that promise is worth nothing. The tenth time it is made good by looting ‘A’ to satisfy ‘B’. In other words, government is a broker in pillage, and every election is a sort of advanced auction on stolen goods.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He argues that government officials are ordinary people who exploit public desires for power, turning politics into a profit‑driven auction of promises.
In simple terms: Government exploits public hopes for power.
Key Takeaway
Beware political promises.
Themes
politics
power
corruption
public manipulation
elections
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting decisions
- civic engagement
- policy analysis
- activism
Key Concepts
elite theory
political economy
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens hold leaders accountable?
- What reforms reduce political exploitation?
A Different Perspective
May overgeneralize all politicians as corrupt.