Bigs Quote by Friedrich August von Hayek
“Least of all shall we preserve democracy or foster its growth if all the power and most of the important decisions rest with an organization far too big for the common man to survey or comprehend.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Constitution of Liberty, 1960
Democracy is threatened when decision‑making is concentrated in a massive, opaque organization beyond ordinary citizens' grasp.
In simple terms: Power too big harms democracy.
Key Takeaway
Demand transparency and limit concentration of power.
Themes
democracy
power
citizen oversight
governance
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- national policy debates
- public budgeting
- regulatory reform
- community organizing
Key Concepts
political theory
institutional design
accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens effectively monitor powerful bodies?
- What mechanisms ensure accountability?
A Different Perspective
Large institutions may still be necessary for coordination; balance is key.
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