All political arrangements, in that they have to bring a…
“All political arrangements, in that they have to bring a variety of widely-discordant interests into unity and harmony, necessarily occasion manifold collisions. From these collisions spring misproportions between men's desires and their powers; and from these, transgressions. The more active the State is, the greater is the number of these.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
State actions unite conflicting interests, causing inevitable clashes and power‑desire mismatches.
In simple terms: State involvement creates tension between desires and power.
Key Takeaway
Balance state role.
Themes
politics
conflict
state power
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- governance
- social movements
- public administration
Key Concepts
social contract
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a state manage diverse interests without overreach?
- What mechanisms reduce power‑desire gaps?
A Different Perspective
Too much state control may stifle individual freedom.