Quote by George Orwell
““But by the fourth decade of the twentieth century all the main currents of political thought were authoritarian. The earthly paradise had been discredited at exactly the moment when it became realizable.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Political Thought in the 20th Century, 1945
By the 1940s, dominant political ideas had become authoritarian, and the ideal of an earthly paradise lost credibility just as it seemed possible.
In simple terms: Authoritarian ideas replaced hopeful visions.
Key Takeaway
Question authority.
Themes
politics
history
philosophy
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- political activism
- policy analysis
- education curricula
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
utopia
disillusionment
Questions to Reflect On
- Can authoritarianism be resisted?
- What alternatives emerged then?
A Different Perspective
Overlooks hopeful movements that persisted.
![“All paradises, all utopias are defined by who is not there, by the people who are not allowed in. [Conversation with Elizabeth Farnsworth, PBS NewsHour , March 9, 1998]” quote by Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/955/toni-morrison-271_communication_all-paradises-all-utopias-are-defined-by_3021786.jpg)
