Century Quote by Charles Tilly
“From that point on, the extraordinary system of spies and informers which has played an important part in the political work of the French state into our own time took shape. (Sartine, who became lieutenant general de police in 1759, is supposed to have said to Louis XV, "Sire, when three people are chatting in the street one of them is surely my man.") Eighteenth-century police manuals like those of Colquhoun in England or Lemaire in France are no less than general treatises on the government's full repertoire of domestic regulation, coercion, and surveillance.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The State in Early Modern France by Charles Tilly, 1984
The quote describes how systematic espionage and surveillance became integral to French political control, shaping modern policing.
In simple terms: Surveillance became a core part of French governance.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the historical roots of modern surveillance.
Themes
politics
surveillance
state power
history
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- law enforcement
- policy analysis
- civil liberties debates
- academic research
Key Concepts
social control
coercion
information networks
Questions to Reflect On
- How does historical surveillance inform today's privacy concerns?
- What limits should be placed on state monitoring?
A Different Perspective
Surveillance can infringe on personal freedoms and privacy.
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