Always believe Quote by James C. Scott
“I always believed that social science was a progressive profession because it was the powerful who had the most to hide about how the world actually worked and if you could show how the world actually worked it would always have a de-masking and a subversive effect on the powerful. I don't think that's quite true, but it seems to me it's not bad as a point of departure anyway.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Weapons of the Weak, 1985, James C. Scott on social science
The quote suggests that exposing hidden power structures can undermine elites, though the author doubts its absolute truth, seeing it as a useful starting point.
In simple terms: Revealing truth can challenge power, even if not always.
Key Takeaway
Use truth‑seeking to question authority.
Themes
power
truth
science
politics
skepticism
Mood
analytical
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- activist campaigns
- policy reform
- journalism
Key Concepts
social science
critical inquiry
subversion
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits the impact of exposing hidden truths?
- How can scholars balance skepticism and advocacy?
A Different Perspective
It may ignore complexities where truth alone doesn't shift power.
![“They [progressives] are men and women who tend to believe that the human being is perfectible and social progress predictable, and that the instrument for effecting the two is reason; that truths are transitory and empirically determined; that equality is desirable and attainable through the…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7f1/anonymous-1_action_they-progressives-are-men-and-women-who_242165.jpg)
