Average Quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt
“It was natural and perhaps human that the privileged princes of these new economic dynasties, thirsting for power, reached out for control over government itself. They created a new despotism and wrapped it in the robes of legal sanction. ...And as a result the average man once more confronts the problem that faced the Minute Man…”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 1939 address on economic power and democracy
He warns that wealthy elites can turn governments into legal despotisms, echoing historic struggles for liberty.
In simple terms: Rich elites may control government, threatening freedom.
Key Takeaway
Guard against concentrated economic power.
Themes
democracy
power
inequality
Mood
cautionary
urgent
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- regulatory reform
- public protests
- citizen activism
Key Concepts
elitism
legalism
authoritarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards protect democracy?
- How can citizens resist elite domination?
A Different Perspective
Economic power can be hard to dismantle.
