Alas Quote by James L. Buckley
“This source of corruption, alas, is inherent in the democratic system itself, and it can only be controlled, if at all, by finding ways to encourage legislators to subordinate ambition to principle.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Legislative Ethics, 1976
Democracy naturally breeds self‑interest among lawmakers; controlling it requires aligning personal ambition with higher principles.
In simple terms: Democracy can corrupt; control it by urging legislators to prioritize principle over ambition.
Key Takeaway
Promote ethical standards and accountability in governance.
Themes
politics
ethics
power
accountability
principle
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- legislative reform
- campaign finance regulation
- civic education
- transparency initiatives
Key Concepts
public choice theory
institutional design
moral psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions incentivize principled behavior?
- What role does public pressure play?
A Different Perspective
Changing personal ambition may be insufficient without systemic checks.
