---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Heads of state are actually prisoners of…"
description: "\"Heads of state are actually prisoners of special interest groups.\" — Deepak Chopra"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/deepak-chopra-63_groups_heads-of-state-are-actually-prisoners-of_1778160.jpg"
---

#  Heads of state are actually prisoners of special interest…

![“Heads of state are actually prisoners of special interest groups.” quote by Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/deepak-chopra-63_groups_heads-of-state-are-actually-prisoners-of_1778160.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/deepak-chopra-63_groups_heads-of-state-are-actually-prisoners-of_1778160.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/deepak-chopra-63_groups_heads-of-state-are-actually-prisoners-of_1778160.jpg)

> “Heads of state are actually prisoners of special interest groups.”

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Political leaders are constrained by powerful interest groups, limiting true autonomy.

**In simple terms:** Leaders are influenced by special interests.

Key Takeaway

Critically evaluate the influence of interest groups on policy.

Themes

politics power influence autonomy

Mood

analytical cautious

Type

political critical

When to use this quote

- policy analysis
- watchdog journalism
- civic engagement
- legislative reform

Key Concepts

lobbying elite control

Questions to Reflect On

- Which interest groups hold the most sway?
- How can citizens counterbalance this influence?

A Different Perspective

May generalize all leaders as powerless.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Head of state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/head-of-state/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Interest groups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest-groups/) [Prisoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisoner/) [Prisoners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisoners/) [Special interest groups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special-interest-groups/) [Special interests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special-interests/)

## Related quotes

> [I'm never nervous when I go to meet heads of state. I feel they should be nervous, because they are the ones who'll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bono/i-m-never-nervous-when-i-go-to-meet-heads-of-state-i-feel-they-should/)

[Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bono/)

> [You think that the heads of state only have serious conversations, but they actually often begin really with the weather or, 'I really like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/you-think-that-the-heads-of-state-only-have-serious-conversations-but/)

[Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/)

> [If you look at all the lobbyists in Washington, this is not a democracy. This is ruled by special interest groups. That includes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/if-you-look-at-all-the-lobbyists-in-washington-this-is-not-a/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [“One has met and indeed entertained many visiting heads of state, some of them unspeakable crooks and blackguards…One has given one's white-gloved hand to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bennett-the-uncommon-reader/one-has-met-and-indeed-entertained-many-visiting-heads-of-state-some/)

Alan Bennett The Uncommon Reader

> [You could look at people in India and say we are manufacturing the cabin that is going to be a part of the U.S.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-r-chenevert/you-could-look-at-people-in-india-and-say-we-are-manufacturing-the/)

[Louis R. Chenevert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-r-chenevert/)

> [The United Nations has come under the control of outlaw nations and self-serving special interest groups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginny-brown-waite/the-united-nations-has-come-under-the-control-of-outlaw-nations-and/)

[Ginny Brown-Waite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginny-brown-waite/)

> [Bowing to well-meaning, special-interest groups is an immoral way to run a company, given all the people it would hurt. We simply cannot allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-j-rodgers/bowing-to-well-meaning-special-interest-groups-is-an-immoral-way-to/)

T. J. Rodgers

> [I was in bands as a singer-guitarist-songwriter until 1980-81. So, there's a bunch of stuff. A lot of the stuff is hard to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-torn/i-was-in-bands-as-a-singer-guitarist-songwriter-until-1980-81-so/)

David Torn

> [All Politicians should be required to wear uniforms like Racing Car Drivers with patches showing the donations received from special interest groups so we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wallace/all-politicians-should-be-required-to-wear-uniforms-like-racing-car/)

John Wallace

> [When are we left-wingers going to learn that we are losing the cultural and political battle with conservatives because we are fractured into narcissistic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/when-are-we-left-wingers-going-to-learn-that-we-are-losing-the/)

[Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/)

> [I've owned a business for 26 years. My family isn't in politics and my supporters aren't special interest groups in Madison and Milwaukee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-neumann/i-ve-owned-a-business-for-26-years-my-family-isn-t-in-politics-and-my/)

[Mark Neumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-neumann/)

> [Campaign finance and ethics reform only works if it curtails all special interest groups equally and does not carve out any exceptions to benefit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-kean-jr/campaign-finance-and-ethics-reform-only-works-if-it-curtails-all/)

[Thomas Kean, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-kean-jr/)

> [I think that the best approach would be if the American people ever insist that we cut down on the massive amounts of money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-think-that-the-best-approach-would-be-if-the-american-people-ever/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [Is Christianity just another special-interest group, clawing for political power? Or, even if Christians are acting as God's spokesmen, must Christians always conduct themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-north/is-christianity-just-another-special-interest-group-clawing-for/)

[Gary North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-north/)

> [When I took the oath of office, I pledged loyalty to only one special interest group - ‘We the people’.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/when-i-took-the-oath-of-office-i-pledged-loyalty-to-only-one-special/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

## More by Deepak Chopra

> [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [“Molecules form and dissolve, returning to the primordial soup of atoms. But consciousness survives the death of the molecules on which it rides. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/molecules-form-and-dissolve-returning-to-the-primordial-soup-of-atoms/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [Unbounded awareness is the reservoir of possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/unbounded-awareness-is-the-reservoir-of-possibilities/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [Spiritual awareness is not only one of the keys to the healing process. Spiritual awareness is the only way that healing can occur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/spiritual-awareness-is-not-only-one-of-the-keys-to-the-healing/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [All experiences are either positive for your brain or negative. If you maximize the positive ones, you are shaping the brain you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/all-experiences-are-either-positive-for-your-brain-or-negative-if-you/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [There are only 2 responses to the world, fear or love. Your life depends on which one you choose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/there-are-only-2-responses-to-the-world-fear-or-love-your-life/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [If you take the the insults of your fellow human beings personally, you will be offended for the rest of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/if-you-take-the-the-insults-of-your-fellow-human-beings-personally/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [A person desperately searching for love," Merlin said, "reminds me of a fish desperately searching for water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/a-person-desperately-searching-for-love-merlin-said-reminds-me-of-a/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [Fighting your ego is a melodrama of the ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/fighting-your-ego-is-a-melodrama-of-the-ego/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [The same faint song is heard in everything: "Behold yourself".](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-same-faint-song-is-heard-in-everything-behold-yourself/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [“All creativity is based on quantum leaps and uncertainty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/all-creativity-is-based-on-quantum-leaps-and-uncertainty/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [The soul knows everything. Be who you are and your life will transform forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-soul-knows-everything-be-who-you-are-and-your-life-will-transform/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [The willingness to reach inside every part of yourself opens the door to total understanding. You place your entire identity on the line, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-willingness-to-reach-inside-every-part-of-yourself-opens-the-door/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [Be willing to redefine yourself every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/be-willing-to-redefine-yourself-every-day/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [To have weakness is not to be flawed--it's to be complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/to-have-weakness-is-not-to-be-flawed-it-s-to-be-complete/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

[Explore all 1,675 Deepak Chopra quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

## More Groups quotes

> [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/)

[Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/)

> [Right now we're concerned about budget. Right now we're concerned about the prospect of interest rate rise. We're concerned about government corruption, government handing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amity-shlaes/right-now-we-re-concerned-about-budget-right-now-we-re-concerned/)

[Amity Shlaes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amity-shlaes/)

> [On the McLaughlin Report, August 26, 1990: 'There are only two groups that are beating the drums for war in the middle East, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/on-the-mclaughlin-report-august-26-1990-there-are-only-two-groups/)

[Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/)

> [People in great groups have blinders on. Their work is all they see. They value failures as learning opportunities. They are optimistic, not realistic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/people-in-great-groups-have-blinders-on-their-work-is-all-they-see/)

[Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/)

> [Black music has always known, and not been afraid to acknowledge just how high the stakes of Black thought are. To summarize the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-b-wilderson-iii/black-music-has-always-known-and-not-been-afraid-to-acknowledge-just/)

Frank B. Wilderson III

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

> [If you do a black character or a female character or an Asian character, then they aren't just that character. They represent that race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-mcduffie/if-you-do-a-black-character-or-a-female-character-or-an-asian/)

[Dwayne McDuffie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-mcduffie/)

> [I have a really grounded group of friends, and they like me no matter what. I think it's really important to know who your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackson-guthy/i-have-a-really-grounded-group-of-friends-and-they-like-me-no-matter/)

[Jackson Guthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackson-guthy/)

> [You can't have a movie with a group of people that are significant players in the story, that push forward the plot, without introducing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/you-can-t-have-a-movie-with-a-group-of-people-that-are-significant/)

[Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/)

> [I'm really thankful to God, man. Like now, I'm really making a real comeback with my group. With or without a record, with or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ike-turner/i-m-really-thankful-to-god-man-like-now-i-m-really-making-a-real/)

[Ike Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ike-turner/)

> [ \[U\]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shulamith-firestone/u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together-and-on-alliances-of-self/)

[Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shulamith-firestone/)

> [The risk of developing carcinoma of the lung increases steadily as the amount smoked increases. If the risk among non-smokers is taken as unity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-doll/the-risk-of-developing-carcinoma-of-the-lung-increases-steadily-as/)

Richard Doll

> [If you chose a particular religion, you were siding with the government religion of whatever region you were in. That's never been true in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/if-you-chose-a-particular-religion-you-were-siding-with-the/)

[Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/)

> [The Urban Literate Southern California Sub-Group of the Early Atomic Period has not yet produced a distinct body of folk music of its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-hinton/the-urban-literate-southern-california-sub-group-of-the-early-atomic/)

Sam Hinton

> [Curiously, the righteous Pharisees had little historical impact, save for a brief time in a remote corner of the Roman Empire. But Jesus' disciples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/curiously-the-righteous-pharisees-had-little-historical-impact-save/)

[Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/)

Browse all 5,557 Groups quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Heads of state are actually prisoners of special interest groups.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Deepak Chopra"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/heads-of-state-are-actually-prisoners-of-special-interest-groups/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Groups"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/heads-of-state-are-actually-prisoners-of-special-interest-groups/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/deepak-chopra-63_groups_heads-of-state-are-actually-prisoners-of_1778160.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/deepak-chopra-63_groups_heads-of-state-are-actually-prisoners-of_1778160.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/710/deepak-chopra-63_groups_heads-of-state-are-actually-prisoners-of_1778160.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Heads of state are actually prisoners of special interest groups.” — Deepak Chopra",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Deepak Chopra",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Heads of state are actually prisoners...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/heads-of-state-are-actually-prisoners-of-special-interest-groups/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/heads-of-state-are-actually-prisoners-of-special-interest-groups/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
