Alterations Quote by Bertrand Russell
“The State is a collection of officials, different for difference purposes, drawing comfortable incomes so long as the status quo is preserved. The only alteration they are likely to desire in the status quo is an increase of bureaucracy and the power of bureaucrats.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Function of Philosophy”, 1915
Bureaucracy preserves its own power, often expanding for its own sake.
In simple terms: Bureaucrats seek to grow power.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and demand accountability.
Themes
politics
power
bureaucracy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government reform
- citizen activism
- organizational audits
Key Concepts
institutional inertia
public administration
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance stability with reform?
- What mechanisms limit bureaucratic growth?
A Different Perspective
May ignore benefits of stable administration.
![“In Stalin each [Soviet bureaucrat] easily finds himself. But Stalin also finds in each one a small part of his own spirit. Stalin is the personification of the bureaucracy. That is the substance of his political personality.” quote by Leon Trotsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/01b/leon-trotsky-2558_bureaucracy_in-stalin-each-soviet-bureaucrat-easily_198840.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
