--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: History shows that the mere existence of…" description: "\"History shows that the mere existence of a mass surveillance apparatus, regardless of how it is used, is in itself sufficient to stifle dissent. A citi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cce/glenn-greenwald-1215_citizenry_history-shows-that-the-mere-existence-of_2472814.jpg" --- # History shows that the mere existence of a mass… ![“History shows that the mere existence of a mass surveillance apparatus, regardless of how it is used, is in itself sufficient to stifle dissent. A citizenry that is aware of always being watched quickly becomes a compliant and fearful one.” quote by Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cce/glenn-greenwald-1215_citizenry_history-shows-that-the-mere-existence-of_2472814.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cce/glenn-greenwald-1215_citizenry_history-shows-that-the-mere-existence-of_2472814.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cce/glenn-greenwald-1215_citizenry_history-shows-that-the-mere-existence-of_2472814.jpg) > “History shows that the mere existence of a mass surveillance apparatus, regardless of how it is used, is in itself sufficient to stifle dissent. A citizenry that is aware of always being watched quickly becomes a compliant and fearful one.” [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mass surveillance creates a climate of fear that suppresses opposition and self‑expression. **In simple terms:** Watching people makes them quiet. Key Takeaway Protect privacy to keep dissent alive. Themes freedom privacy government power societal control Mood anxious critical defiant Type political warning When to use this quote - journalism - activism - policy advocacy - public debate - legal challenges Key Concepts surveillance state chilling effect citizen compliance Questions to Reflect On - How does awareness of monitoring change behavior? - What safeguards can prevent self‑censorship? A Different Perspective Even without misuse, the mere presence of surveillance can deter free speech. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Citizenry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenry/) [Dissent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissent/) [Dissent Citizenry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissent-citizenry-779526/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Fearful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fearful/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [Mass Surveillance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass-surveillance-535845/) [Mere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mere/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Self sufficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-sufficient/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Stifle Dissent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stifle-dissent-779524/) [Sufficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufficient/) [Surveillance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surveillance/) [Surveillance Apparatus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surveillance-apparatus-779525/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) ## Related quotes > [No matter the specific techniques involved, historically mass surveillance has had several constant attributes. Initially, it is always the country’s dissidents and marginalized who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/no-matter-the-specific-techniques-involved-historically-mass-2/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [If you're doing nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide from the giant surveillance apparatus the government's been hiding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/if-you-re-doing-nothing-wrong-you-have-nothing-to-hide-from-the-giant/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [I'd grown up in the U.K., where the surveillance apparatus went into place in the 1970s in response to the Troubles with the IRA.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-nolan/i-d-grown-up-in-the-u-k-where-the-surveillance-apparatus-went-into/) [Jonathan Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-nolan/) > [“Surveillance cheerleaders essentially offer only one argument in defense of mass surveillance: it is only carried out to stop terrorism and keep people safe.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/surveillance-cheerleaders-essentially-offer-only-one-argument-in/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“this model of control has the great advantage of simultaneously creating the illusion of freedom. The compulsion to obedience exists in the individual’s mind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/this-model-of-control-has-the-great-advantage-of-simultaneously/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“Mass surveillance by the state is therefore inherently repressive, even in the unlikely case that it is not abused by vindictive officials to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/mass-surveillance-by-the-state-is-therefore-inherently-repressive/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“mass surveillance kills dissent in a deeper and more important place as well: in the mind, where the individual trains him- or herself to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/mass-surveillance-kills-dissent-in-a-deeper-and-more-important-place/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“No matter the specific techniques involved, historically mass surveillance has had several constant attributes. Initially, it is always the country’s dissidents and marginalized who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/no-matter-the-specific-techniques-involved-historically-mass/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“mass surveillance is a universal temptation for any unscrupulous power.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/mass-surveillance-is-a-universal-temptation-for-any-unscrupulous-power/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [Constant pressure by Turkish consulates across the United States, as well as pervasive and continual harassment by the government in Turkey, has so far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enes-kanter/constant-pressure-by-turkish-consulates-across-the-united-states-as/) [Enes Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enes-kanter/) > [As long as it is supported by Democratic politicians and by liberal Hollywood players, censorship is a useful tool to stifle dissent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-breitbart/as-long-as-it-is-supported-by-democratic-politicians-and-by-liberal/) [Andrew Breitbart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-breitbart/) > [Science exists, moreover, only as a journey toward troth. Stifle dissent and you end that journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-charles-polanyi/science-exists-moreover-only-as-a-journey-toward-troth-stifle-dissent/) [John Charles Polanyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-charles-polanyi/) > [The most un-American thing you can do is to stifle dissent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/utah-phillips/the-most-un-american-thing-you-can-do-is-to-stifle-dissent/) [Utah Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/utah-phillips/) > [“Q: What can people do to defend their civil liberties? Phillips: I'm a pacifist, but the most American thing you can do is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/utah-phillips/q-what-can-people-do-to-defend-their-civil-liberties-phillips-i-m-a/) [Utah Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/utah-phillips/) > [A citizenry that is aware of always being watched quickly becomes a compliant and fearful one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/a-citizenry-that-is-aware-of-always-being-watched-quickly-becomes-a/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) ## More by Glenn Greenwald > [In essence, I see the value of journalism as resting in a twofold mission: informing the public of accurate and vital information, and its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/in-essence-i-see-the-value-of-journalism-as-resting-in-a-twofold/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“The evidence shows that assurances that surveillance is only targeted at those who “have done something wrong” should provide little comfort, since a state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/the-evidence-shows-that-assurances-that-surveillance-is-only-targeted/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“It's almost hard to imagine anything more undemocratic than the view that political officials should not debate American wars in public, but only express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/it-s-almost-hard-to-imagine-anything-more-undemocratic-than-the-view/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [It's hardly news that the Obama administration is intensely and, in many respects, unprecedentedly hostile toward the news-gathering process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/it-s-hardly-news-that-the-obama-administration-is-intensely-and-in/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [Only In America can a renowned and devoted terrorism supporter like Peter King be the arbiter of national security and treason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/only-in-america-can-a-renowned-and-devoted-terrorism-supporter-like/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“Above even our physical well-being, a central value is keeping the state out of the private realm—our “persons, houses, papers, and effects,” as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/above-even-our-physical-well-being-a-central-value-is-keeping-the/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“That capability at any time could be turned around on the American people and no American would have any privacy left, such is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/that-capability-at-any-time-could-be-turned-around-on-the-american/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“Converting the Internet into a system of surveillance thus guts it of its core potential. Worse, it turns the Internet into a tool of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/converting-the-internet-into-a-system-of-surveillance-thus-guts-it-of/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“the desire for privacy is shared by us all as an essential, not ancillary, part of what it means to be human. We all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/the-desire-for-privacy-is-shared-by-us-all-as-an-essential-not/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [I don't have a 'side'—I'm responsible for what I say and nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/i-don-t-have-a-side-i-m-responsible-for-what-i-say-and-nothing-else/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“Encryption matters, and it is not just for spies and philanderers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/encryption-matters-and-it-is-not-just-for-spies-and-philanderers/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“Among other devices, the agency intercepts and tampers with routers and servers manufactured by Cisco to direct large amounts of Internet traffic back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/among-other-devices-the-agency-intercepts-and-tampers-with-routers/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“NSA has increasingly made use of a secret technology that enables it to enter and alter data in computers even if they are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/nsa-has-increasingly-made-use-of-a-secret-technology-that-enables-it/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [A key purpose of journalism is to provide an adversarial check on those who wield the greatest power by shining a light on what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/a-key-purpose-of-journalism-is-to-provide-an-adversarial-check-on/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [“We all instinctively understand that the private realm is where we can act, think, speak, write, experiment, and choose how to be, away from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/we-all-instinctively-understand-that-the-private-realm-is-where-we/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) [Explore all 270 Glenn Greenwald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) ## More Citizenry quotes > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [You cannot have 300-some million Americans - and really, right, the global citizenry be at risk of having their phone conversations intercepted with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/you-cannot-have-300-some-million-americans-and-really-right-the/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [Politics is about the participation and engagement of the wider citizenry - to miss that point would doom us to irrelevance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-blunkett/politics-is-about-the-participation-and-engagement-of-the-wider/) [David Blunkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-blunkett/) > [One reason the United States finds itself at the edge of a foreign policy disaster is its underinformed citizenry, a key weakness in democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-halper/one-reason-the-united-states-finds-itself-at-the-edge-of-a-foreign/) [Stefan Halper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-halper/) > [Higher education is confronting challenges, like the economy is, about the need for a higher number of more adequately trained, more highly educated citizenry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-spellings/higher-education-is-confronting-challenges-like-the-economy-is-about/) [Margaret Spellings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-spellings/) > [Democracy is not about trust; it is about distrust. It is about accountability, exposure, open debate, critical challenge, and popular input and feedback from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-parenti/democracy-is-not-about-trust-it-is-about-distrust-it-is-about/) [Michael Parenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-parenti/) > [I have spoken about what we can do as citizens, what we can do as a responsive citizenry, and this is where we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-tempest-williams/i-have-spoken-about-what-we-can-do-as-citizens-what-we-can-do-as-a/) [Terry Tempest Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-tempest-williams/) > [A popular feel for scientific endeavors should, if possible, be restored given the needs of the twenty-first century. This does not mean that every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/a-popular-feel-for-scientific-endeavors-should-if-possible-be/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) > [The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr/the-best-defense-against-usurpatory-government-is-an-assertive/) [William F. Buckley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley-jr/) > [And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind is closed, the leader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-caesar/and-when-the-drums-of-war-have-reached-a-fever-pitch-and-the-blood/) [Julius Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-caesar/) > [I think it's something that the citizenry needs to be vigilant about - participating in democracy, and that includes issues like what's going on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-think-it-s-something-that-the-citizenry-needs-to-be-vigilant-about/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [Today's political leaders demonstrate their low opinion of the public with every social law they pass. They believe that, if given the right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/today-s-political-leaders-demonstrate-their-low-opinion-of-the-public/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [“When justice is prioritized by any leader at any level then to give justice to the citizenry will always be at the back of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/when-justice-is-prioritized-by-any-leader-at-any-level-then-to-give/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [I feel that the Second Amendment is the right to keep and bear arms for our citizenry. This not for someone who's in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharron-angle/i-feel-that-the-second-amendment-is-the-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms/) [Sharron Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharron-angle/) > [This has been the new normal since September 11. Everyone knows, but nobody says, that if something happens again, the elite consensus in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-pierce/this-has-been-the-new-normal-since-september-11-everyone-knows-but/) [Charlie Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-pierce/) [Browse all 138 Citizenry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenry/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "History shows that the mere existence of a mass surveillance apparatus, regardless of how it is used, is in itself sufficient to stifle dissent. 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