Benevolent Quote by Gerald Holton
![“If the layman cannot participate in decision making, he will have to turn himself over, essentially blind, to a hermetic elite. ... [The fundamental question becomes] are we still capable of self-government and therefore freedom? Margaret Mead wrote in a 1959 issue of Daedalus about scientists…” quote by Gerald Holton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/368/gerald-holton-46138_benevolent_if-the-layman-cannot-participate-in-deci_1394613.jpg)
“If the layman cannot participate in decision making, he will have to turn himself over, essentially blind, to a hermetic elite. ... [The fundamental question becomes] are we still capable of self-government and therefore freedom? Margaret Mead wrote in a 1959 issue of Daedalus about scientists elevated to the status of priests. Now there is a name for this elevation, when you are in the hands of-one hopes-a benevolent elite, when you have no control over your political decisions. From the point of view of John Locke, the name for this is slavery.”
About This Quote
When ordinary people are excluded from decisions, they become powerless under an elite, resembling slavery.
In simple terms: Excluding people from decisions creates powerlessness.
Key Takeaway
Demand inclusive governance.
Themes
democracy
elitism
freedom
Mood
critical
concerned
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting rights
- public policy debates
- community forums
Key Concepts
political theory
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens reclaim agency?
- What safeguards prevent elite domination?
A Different Perspective
Elite control can be justified as expertise.
