--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whenever anything extraordinary is done…" description: "\"Whenever anything extraordinary is done in American municipal politics, whether for good or for evil, you can trace it almost invariably to one man. Th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80e/lincoln-steffens-10842_done_whenever-anything-extraordinary-is-done_1592746.png" --- # Whenever anything extraordinary is done in American… ![“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.” quote by Lincoln Steffens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80e/lincoln-steffens-10842_done_whenever-anything-extraordinary-is-done_1592746.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80e/lincoln-steffens-10842_done_whenever-anything-extraordinary-is-done_1592746.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80e/lincoln-steffens-10842_done_whenever-anything-extraordinary-is-done_1592746.png) > “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.” [Lincoln Steffens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-steffens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Combines Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combines-political-6040931/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Extraordinary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extraordinary/) [Gang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gang/) [Gangs Combines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gangs-combines-6040932/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Municipal Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/municipal-politics-6040930/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Gangs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-gangs-3386382/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Political parties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-parties/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Politics Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics-good-1164041/) ## Related quotes > [I know people in gangs; I could have went down that route.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-i-am/i-know-people-in-gangs-i-could-have-went-down-that-route/) [will.i.am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-i-am/) > [I came to the U.S. to have opportunities. 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