Bureaucracy Quote by Aldous Huxley
“A democracy which makes or even effectively prepares for modern, scientific war must necessarily cease to be democratic. No country can be really well prepared for modern war unless it is governed by a tyrant, at the head of a highly trained and perfectly obedient bureaucracy.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Future of Democracy", 1939
Democracy cannot effectively prepare for modern war; tyranny is seen as necessary for such preparation.
In simple terms: Democracy struggles with war readiness.
Recognize limits of democratic war planning.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- government policy
- defense planning
- international relations
- civil liberties
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is authoritarian efficiency worth the loss of liberty?
- What alternatives exist for democratic war preparation?
Tyranny may erode freedoms and cause oppression.