---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I say this ironically, not because I…"
description: "\"I say this ironically, not because I favor the State, but because people are not in the state of mind right now where they feel that they can manage th..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/murray-bookchin-2587_accidents_i-say-this-ironically-not-because-i-favo_381260.png"
---

#  I say this ironically, not because I favor the State, but…

![“I say this ironically, not because I favor the State, but because people are not in the state of mind right now where they feel that they can manage themselves. We have to go through an educational process - which does not involve, in my opinion, compromises with the State. But if the State…” quote by Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/murray-bookchin-2587_accidents_i-say-this-ironically-not-because-i-favo_381260.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/murray-bookchin-2587_accidents_i-say-this-ironically-not-because-i-favo_381260.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/murray-bookchin-2587_accidents_i-say-this-ironically-not-because-i-favo_381260.png)

> “I say this ironically, not because I favor the State, but because people are not in the state of mind right now where they feel that they can manage themselves. We have to go through an educational process - which does not involve, in my opinion, compromises with the State. But if the State disappeared tomorrow by accident, and the police disappeared and the army disappeared and the government agencies disappeared, the ironical situation is that people would suddenly feel denuded.”

[Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-bookchin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People lack confidence in self-governance and rely on the State, even though they could manage without it.

**In simple terms:** People doubt self-management, depend on the State.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate confidence in collective self‑governance.

Themes

anarchism education state critique

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

- grassroots organizing
- civic education
- political theory

Key Concepts

self‑reliance community building

Questions to Reflect On

- What education can empower self‑management?
- How to transition from state dependence?

A Different Perspective

Self‑governance may be unrealistic without transitional structures.

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