Authority Quote by James Madison
“The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone.”
About This Quote
Source Document: The Federalist Papers, No. 10, 1787
Political power ultimately belongs to the people, not to elites.
In simple terms: People hold ultimate authority.
Key Takeaway
Protect democratic participation.
Themes
democracy
politics
citizenship
Mood
inspirational
serious
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- elections
- public policy
- community organizing
- civil protest
Key Concepts
republicanism
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens ensure their voice is heard?
- What mechanisms guard against elite domination?
A Different Perspective
Power can be concentrated despite rhetoric.
![“It is certain that every class is interested in [educational] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country its truest and most durable celebrity.” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/964/james-madison-373_certain_it-is-certain-that-every-class-is-intere_22217.jpg)
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)