Abuse Quote by James F. Cooper
“The disposition of all power is to abuses, nor does it at all mend the matter that its possessors are a majority. Unrestrained political authority, though it be confided to masses, cannot be trusted without positive limitations, men in bodies being but an aggregation of the passions, weaknesses and interests of men as individuals.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: The American Democrat, 1849
Power tends to corrupt, and without checks, majority rule can become oppressive because individuals are driven by personal passions and interests.
In simple terms: Power corrupts without limits.
Key Takeaway
Implement strong institutional constraints.
Themes
politics
power
corruption
governance
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legislative design
- civil liberties
- public policy
- activism
Key Concepts
social contract
majority rule
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we design institutions that balance majority will with minority rights?
- What mechanisms best prevent abuse of power?
A Different Perspective
Even with safeguards, collective decisions can still be swayed by elite interests.
