Accidents Quote by Leszek Kolakowski
“We were happy a hundred years ago. We knew that there were exploiters and exploited, wealthy and poor, and we had a perfect idea of how to get rid of injustice; we would expropriate the owners and turn the wealth over to the common good. We expropriated the owners and we created one of the most monstrous and oppressive social systems in world history. And we keep repeating that in principle everything was all right, only some unfortunate accidents slipped in and slightly spoiled the good idea. Now let us start afresh…”
About This Quote
Source Book: Main Currents of Marxism, 1978
A revolutionary ideal to eliminate injustice turned into an oppressive system, showing how utopian ideas can become tyrannical when imposed.
In simple terms: Idealistic plans can become oppressive when enforced.
Key Takeaway
Beware of utopian solutions that ignore human complexity.
Themes
politics
justice
ideology
history
power
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- revolutionary movements
- policy design
- social reform
- economic redistribution
- authoritarian regimes
Key Concepts
Marxism
totalitarianism
social engineering
Questions to Reflect On
- Can idealism justify oppression?
- How to balance equity with liberty?
A Different Perspective
Utopian visions often overlook unintended consequences and human rights.
