Politics Quote by Edward Crankshaw
““Arbitrary government operating by force, by terror, must destroy the best, the boldest dissenters in sheer self-defence; soon it finds itself destroying all who, on the one hand, do not actively assist it or, on the other, do not passively submit.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Political Commentary, 1960s, null
Forceful governments suppress dissent, eliminating both active opponents and passive non‑supporters as a self‑preservation tactic.
In simple terms: Oppressive regimes crush all who don’t fully support them.
Key Takeaway
Beware and unchecked power.
Themes
politics
authority
dissent
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
warning
When to use this quote
- activism
- journalism
- civil service
- community organizing
Key Concepts
totalitarianism
self‑defence
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fear shape civic participation?
- What mechanisms can protect dissent?
A Different Perspective
Such suppression can also stifle innovation and healthy debate.
![“[Aftermath of the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881] What happened to the conspirators - Zhelyabov already in prison, Perovskaya, Kibalchich and the three surviving bombers - is that they were all hanged. This last public execution to be staged in Russia took place before a crowd of some…” quote by Edward Crankshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4f6/edward-crankshaw-106647_execution_aftermath-of-the-assassination-of-tsar-a_2759060.jpg)
