--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If zero percent of the elites support…" description: "\"If zero percent of the elites support something, very low chance it's going to pass, if 100% support something, very high chance it's going to pass. Sa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/lawrence-lessig-3201_average_if-zero-percent-of-the-elites-support-so_1158992.jpg" --- # If zero percent of the elites support something, very low… ![“If zero percent of the elites support something, very low chance it's going to pass, if 100% support something, very high chance it's going to pass. Same thing for organized interest groups. But for the average voter, it's a flat line. Which says it doesn't matter whether zero percent of the…” quote by Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/lawrence-lessig-3201_average_if-zero-percent-of-the-elites-support-so_1158992.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/lawrence-lessig-3201_average_if-zero-percent-of-the-elites-support-so_1158992.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/lawrence-lessig-3201_average_if-zero-percent-of-the-elites-support-so_1158992.jpg) > “If zero percent of the elites support something, very low chance it's going to pass, if 100% support something, very high chance it's going to pass. Same thing for organized interest groups. But for the average voter, it's a flat line. Which says it doesn't matter whether zero percent of the public believes something or 100% of the average voters believe something - it doesn't affect the probability that that thing will be enacted.” [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Political outcomes are driven by elite and organized group support, not by average public opinion. **In simple terms:** Elite support matters, average voter opinion doesn’t. Key Takeaway Focus on influencing elites and groups. Themes politics influence public opinion policy elite power Mood critical analytical skeptical Type observational analytical When to use this quote - lobbying - campaign strategy - public advocacy - media outreach - grassroots mobilization Key Concepts interest groups elite theory policy diffusion democratic legitimacy Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens amplify their voice despite elite dominance? - What strategies can reduce elite overreach? A Different Perspective Public opinion may still shape long‑term cultural norms, even if not immediate policy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Elites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elites/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Interest groups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest-groups/) [Probability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/probability/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) [Voters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voters/) ## Related quotes > [If more than ten percent of the public likes a painting, it should be burned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/if-more-than-ten-percent-of-the-public-likes-a-painting-it-should-be/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [I think most people would like that: probably comes in about ninety percent. 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