Engines Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
“Freedom of the press is to the machinery of the state what the safety valve is to the steam engine.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On Freedom of the Press, 1844
Press freedom acts as a safety valve, preventing state pressure from building like steam in a confined engine.
In simple terms: Press freedom relieves state pressure.
Key Takeaway
Support a free press to avoid authoritarian buildup.
Themes
freedom
government
media
checks and balances
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- journalism
- legislation
- public protest
- online platforms
Key Concepts
political theory
civil liberties
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies safeguard press independence?
- What are modern equivalents of the safety valve?
A Different Perspective
A free press can be co‑opted, losing its valve function.
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