Anything goes Quote by Lewis H. Lapham
“Power broken into a thousand pieces can be hidden and disowned. If no individual or institution possesses the authority to act without of everybody else in the room, then nobody is at fault if anything goes wrong.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Power Paradox", Harper's Magazine, 2015
Fragmented authority leads to hidden power and collective responsibility.
In simple terms: Power can be hidden and shared.
Key Takeaway
Recognize distributed authority.
Themes
power
responsibility
authority
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- leadership
- policy making
- team dynamics
- governance
Key Concepts
political theory
organizational behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure transparent decision‑making?
- What checks prevent power abuse?
A Different Perspective
Complex systems may obscure accountability.
![“[For American consumer society], the country's reserves of ignorance constitute a natural resource as precious as the Mississippi River or the long-lost herds of buffalo.” quote by Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6b0/lewis-h-lapham-7190_buffalo_for-american-consumer-society-the-countr_157122.jpg)
