Done Quote by Lincoln Steffens
“Whenever anything extraordinary is done in American municipal politics, whether for good or for evil, you can trace it almost invariably to one man. The people do not do it. Neither do the 'gangs,' 'combines,' or political parties.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Shame of the Cities by Lincoln Steffens, 1904
Powerful actions in municipal politics often trace back to a single influential individual rather than collective effort.
In simple terms: One person often drives political change.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address concentration of power.
Themes
politics
leadership
power
individualism
Mood
critical
analytical
cautious
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- city council decisions
- campaign strategies
- policy reforms
- grassroots movements
Key Concepts
elite influence
political agency
accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How does individual influence affect democratic processes?
- What safeguards can prevent power abuse?
A Different Perspective
Collective action can also shape outcomes, not just individuals.
![“[In politics] no good deed goes unpunished” quote by Clare Boothe Luce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6d1/clare-boothe-luce-7669_deeds_in-politics-no-good-deed-goes-unpunished_247117.jpg)
![“I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests with ZERO-G [a charter-flight service in Arlington, Va., that uses modified Boeing 727s to simulate weightlessness], which went great.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa1/richard-branson-256_adventure_i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-repl_903.jpg)
