--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once wide coercive powers are given to…" description: "\"Once wide coercive powers are given to governmental agencies for particular purposes, such powers cannot be effectively controlled by democratic assemb..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac1/friedrich-august-von-hayek-141_agency_once-wide-coercive-powers-are-given-to-g_2464919.jpg" --- # Once wide coercive powers are given to governmental… ![“Once wide coercive powers are given to governmental agencies for particular purposes, such powers cannot be effectively controlled by democratic assemblies.” quote by Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac1/friedrich-august-von-hayek-141_agency_once-wide-coercive-powers-are-given-to-g_2464919.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac1/friedrich-august-von-hayek-141_agency_once-wide-coercive-powers-are-given-to-g_2464919.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac1/friedrich-august-von-hayek-141_agency_once-wide-coercive-powers-are-given-to-g_2464919.jpg) > “Once wide coercive powers are given to governmental agencies for particular purposes, such powers cannot be effectively controlled by democratic assemblies.” [Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-august-von-hayek/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agency/) [Assembly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assembly/) [Coercive Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coercive-powers-696582/) [Controlled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/controlled/) [Controlled Democratic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/controlled-democratic-696586/) [Democratic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic/) [Democratic Assemblies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic-assemblies-696583/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Given Governmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given-governmental-696585/) [Particular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/particular/) [Powers Effectively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powers-effectively-696584/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Wide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wide/) ## Related quotes > [The debates of that great assembly are frequently vague and perplexed, seeming to be dragged rather than to march, to the intended goal. 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