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Centre Quote by Charles Handy

“There is as far as I know, no example in history, of any state voluntarily ceding power from the centre to its constituent parts.” quote by Charles Handy
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“There is as far as I know, no example in history, of any state voluntarily ceding power from the centre to its constituent parts.”

Charles Handy

About This Quote

Source Book: The Age of Unreason, Charles Handy, 2000

States rarely give up central authority voluntarily; power tends to stay concentrated.

In simple terms: Governments keep central power.

Key Takeaway

Recognize centralization trends.

Themes

politics power centralization governance

Mood

analytical critical

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • policy analysis
  • academic study
  • government reform
  • public debate

Key Concepts

state sovereignty federalism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What mechanisms could encourage voluntary power sharing?
  • How does centralization affect local autonomy?
A Different Perspective

Historical examples of voluntary decentralization exist in some contexts.

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