American people Quote by Carroll Quigley
““The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies... is a foolish idea. Instead, the two parties should be almost identical, so that the American people can throw the rascals out at any election without leading to any profound or extensive shifts in policy. Then it should be possible to replace it, every four years if necessary, by the other party which will be none of these things but will still pursue, with new vigor, approximately the same basic policies.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Tragedy and Hope by Carroll Quigley, 1966
The quote argues that political parties should be nearly identical to prevent major policy shifts, allowing voters to replace them without drastic change.
In simple terms: Parties should be similar to keep policies stable.
Key Takeaway
Favor stable, predictable governance.
Themes
politics
democracy
party systems
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
critical
When to use this quote
- elections
- government reform
- voter education
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
pluralism
policy continuity
electoral strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does party similarity affect democratic health?
- Can stability outweigh the need for new ideas?
A Different Perspective
Identical parties may reduce genuine choice and accountability.
