Constitution Quote by Mark R. Levin
““In a recurring theme among progressives, Croly condemned the Constitution’s separation of powers, a doctrine essential to averting centralized tyranny, as the main obstacle to progress. “If the people are to be divided against themselves in order that righteousness may rule, still more must the government be divided against itself. It must be separated into departments each one of which must act independently of the others. . . . The government was prevented from doing harm, but in order that it might not do harm it was deliberately and effectively weakened. The people were protected from the government; but quite as much was the government protected from the people. In dividing the government against itself by such high and rigid barriers, an equally substantial barrier was raised against the exercise by the people of any easy and sufficient control over their government. It was only a very strong and persistent popular majority which could make its will prevail, and if the rule of a majority was discouraged, the rule of a minority was equally encouraged. But the rulers, whether representing a majority or a minority, could not and were not supposed to accomplish””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Conservative Commentary, Mark R. Levin, 2023
Separation of powers prevents tyranny but can also hinder decisive action and popular control.
In simple terms: Checks and balances can limit both government overreach and effective governance.
Balance safeguards with responsive governance.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legislative gridlock
- public policy
- citizen activism
- government reform
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is strong central authority ever justified?
- How can citizens stay engaged despite institutional barriers?
Rigid separation may stall necessary reforms.