1941 Quote by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
““But just take the jurists' side for a moment: why, in fact, should a trial be supposed to have two possible outcomes when our general elections are conducted on the basis of one candidate? An acquittal is, in fact, unthinkable from the economic point of view! It would mean that the informers, the Security officers, the Interrogators, the prosecutor's staff, the internal guard in the prison, and the convoy had all worked to no purpose.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Political Commentary, 1970
He argues that a trial with multiple outcomes is absurd when elections allow only one winner, highlighting systemic injustice.
In simple terms: Trials with multiple outcomes clash with single‑winner elections, exposing injustice.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how legal systems can be skewed by political structures.
Themes
justice
politics
legal theory
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- court trials
- elections
- human rights advocacy
- policy reform
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
due process
systemic bias
Questions to Reflect On
- Can a legal system be fair under a single‑winner political system?
- What reforms could ensure trial fairness?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may oversimplify complex legal processes and ignore pluralistic societies.
