The peoples are not awake...[There are dangers] which will…
![“The peoples are not awake...[There are dangers] which will render a world organization impossible. I foresee the renewal of...the secret bargaining behind closed doors. Peoples will be as before, the sheep sent to the slaughterhouses or to the meadows as it pleases the shepherds. International…” quote by Henri La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/db7/henri-la-fontaine-74178_awake_the-peoples-are-not-awake-there-are-dang_1377439.png)
“The peoples are not awake...[There are dangers] which will render a world organization impossible. I foresee the renewal of...the secret bargaining behind closed doors. Peoples will be as before, the sheep sent to the slaughterhouses or to the meadows as it pleases the shepherds. International institutions ought to be, as the national ones in democratic countries, established by the peoples and for the peoples.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that secret deals and undemocratic control will prevent effective global governance, urging that international bodies be created by and for the people, just like national democracies.
In simple terms: Secret deals undermine global cooperation; people must control institutions.
Key Takeaway
Demand democratic oversight of international bodies.
Themes
democracy
governance
transparency
power
people
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- civil society activism
- international negotiations
- public advocacy
Key Concepts
political theory
institutional design
sovereignty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens ensure global institutions reflect popular will?
- What mechanisms can prevent secret bargaining?
A Different Perspective
Powerful elites may still dominate despite reforms.