Agency Quote by Friedrich August von Hayek
“Once wide coercive powers are given to governmental agencies for particular purposes, such powers cannot be effectively controlled by democratic assemblies.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Constitution of Liberty, 1960
When governments receive broad coercive authority for specific aims, democratic bodies struggle to restrain it effectively.
In simple terms: Power given to agencies is hard to control later.
Key Takeaway
Beware of granting unchecked authority.
Themes
government
power
democracy
control
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legislative oversight
- public policy
- civil liberties
- judicial review
Key Concepts
political theory
libertarianism
institutional design
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens ensure agencies remain accountable?
- What safeguards best prevent power creep?
A Different Perspective
Democratic mechanisms may be too slow or fragmented to counteract entrenched agency power.
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