--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We believe that the people are the source…" description: "\"We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted.\" — Barbara Jordan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46f/barbara-jordan-7656_authority_we-believe-that-the-people-are-the-sourc_104222.jpg" --- # We believe that the people are the source of all… ![“We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted.” quote by Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46f/barbara-jordan-7656_authority_we-believe-that-the-people-are-the-sourc_104222.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46f/barbara-jordan-7656_authority_we-believe-that-the-people-are-the-sourc_104222.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46f/barbara-jordan-7656_authority_we-believe-that-the-people-are-the-sourc_104222.jpg) > “We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted.” [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democratic legitimacy stems from the people, and that authority should be expanded to empower citizens rather than constrain them. **In simple terms:** Power belongs to the people and should be broadened. Key Takeaway Empower citizen authority. Themes democracy power citizenship rights Mood inspirational determined Type political principle When to use this quote - community budgeting meetings - grassroots advocacy campaigns - citizen juries Key Concepts social contract participatory governance Practical Applications - Create platforms for direct public input - Educate voters on their constitutional rights Questions to Reflect On - In what ways can citizens effectively expand their political influence? - What safeguards prevent misuse of broadened authority? A Different Perspective Expanding authority can clash with existing legal frameworks and elite resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Mental power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-power/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [There is an inherent tendency in all governmental power to recognize no restraints on its operation and to extend the sphere of its dominion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/there-is-an-inherent-tendency-in-all-governmental-power-to-recognize/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [My relationship to power and authority is that I'm all for it. People need somebody to watch over them. 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These men are close to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/there-is-a-limited-elite-that-understands-the-secrets-of-their-own/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [Any one who studies the state of things which preceded the French Revolution will see that that tremendous catastrophe came about from so excessive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/any-one-who-studies-the-state-of-things-which-preceded-the-french/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [The people are the source of governmental power. Along with many religious people, Latter-day Saints affirm that God gave the power to the people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/the-people-are-the-source-of-governmental-power-along-with-many/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [Nobody wants a job where they don't have authority to go along with the responsibility. Quite the contrary. 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Naipaul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-s-naipaul/) > [The power of authority is never more subtle and effective than when it produces a psychological atmosphere or climate favorable to the life of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-balfour/the-power-of-authority-is-never-more-subtle-and-effective-than-when/) [Arthur Balfour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-balfour/) > [The founding leaders of our country believed in a three-part sharing of governmental power, with each branch jealously watching the actions of the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chellie-pingree/the-founding-leaders-of-our-country-believed-in-a-three-part-sharing/) [Chellie Pingree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chellie-pingree/) > [In our Constitution governmental power is divided among three separate branches of the national government, three separate branches of State governments, and the peoples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-our-constitution-governmental-power-is-divided-among-three/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the Constitution of the American Republic there was a deliberate and very extensive and emphatic division of governmental power for the very purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-constitution-of-the-american-republic-there-was-a-deliberate/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In a democracy there is a centralization of governmental power in a simple majority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-a-democracy-there-is-a-centralization-of-governmental-power-in-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Barbara Jordan > [We are a party of innovation. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances, when change we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-party-of-innovation-we-do-not-reject-our-traditions-but-we/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If you had to work in the environment of Washington, D.C., as I do, and watch those men who are so imprisoned and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-you-had-to-work-in-the-environment-of-washington-d-c-as-i-do-and/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If youre going to play the game properly, youd better know every rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-youre-going-to-play-the-game-properly-youd-better-know-every-rule/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [All my growth and development led me to believe that if you really do the right thing, and if you play by the rules,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/all-my-growth-and-development-led-me-to-believe-that-if-you-really-do/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [For all of its uncertainty, we cannot flee the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/for-all-of-its-uncertainty-we-cannot-flee-the-future/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present: unemployment, inflation... but we are attempting on a larger scale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-people-trying-not-only-to-solve-the-problems-of-the-present/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/my-faith-in-the-constitution-is-whole-it-is-complete-it-is-total-and/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [...for the system to be credible, people actually have to be deported at the end of the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/for-the-system-to-be-credible-people-actually-have-to-be-deported-at/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [I have faith in young people because I know the strongest emotions which prevail are those of love and caring and belief and tolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/i-have-faith-in-young-people-because-i-know-the-strongest-emotions/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [One thing is very clear: Illegal immigrants are not entitled to benefits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/one-thing-is-very-clear-illegal-immigrants-are-not-entitled-to/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If we promise as public officials, we must deliver. If we as public officials propose, we must produce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-we-promise-as-public-officials-we-must-deliver-if-we-as-public/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [I get from the soil and spirit of Texas the feeling that I, as an individual, can accomplish whatever I want to, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/i-get-from-the-soil-and-spirit-of-texas-the-feeling-that-i-as-an/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We are a people in a quandary about the present. We are a people in search of our future. We are a people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-people-in-a-quandary-about-the-present-we-are-a-people-in/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We have a positive vision of the future founded on the belief that the gap between the promise and reality of America can one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-have-a-positive-vision-of-the-future-founded-on-the-belief-that/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-as-human-beings-must-be-willing-to-accept-people-who-are-different/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) [Explore all 89 Barbara Jordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) ## More Authority quotes > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. 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However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [I think people need to be comfortable questioning the authority of a doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susannah-cahalan/i-think-people-need-to-be-comfortable-questioning-the-authority-of-a/) [Susannah Cahalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susannah-cahalan/) > [At a distance, we cannot conceive of the authority of a despot who knows all his subjects on sight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/at-a-distance-we-cannot-conceive-of-the-authority-of-a-despot-who/) [Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/) > [Throughout human history, as our species has faced the frightening, terrorizing fact that we do not know who we are, or where we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/throughout-human-history-as-our-species-has-faced-the-frightening/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [“I'm of the age and immaturity level that I cannot give you my respect solely because you are older or ranked higher on an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-goros/i-m-of-the-age-and-immaturity-level-that-i-cannot-give-you-my-respect/) [Erica Goros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-goros/) > [In the end theologians are jealous of science, for they are aware that it has greater authority than do their own ways of finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/in-the-end-theologians-are-jealous-of-science-for-they-are-aware-that/) [Jerry A. 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This delay was due to a desire on the part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-execution-was-set-for-the-29th-of-march-at-nine-in-the-morning/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/) [Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/) > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. 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