Army Quote by Naomi Wolf
“When a leader has deployed a private army, that is one definition of a police state. Another is when the president, or a leader, has his own treasury.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The End of the Age of Consent, 2003
A police state can be defined by a leader's private army or personal treasury, highlighting concentration of power.
In simple terms: Power can become authoritarian through private forces or finances.
Key Takeaway
Guard against unchecked authority.
Themes
politics
authoritarianism
power
economics
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
political
educational
When to use this quote
- government policy
- military privatization
- budget transparency
- civil liberties
Key Concepts
state control
private militias
financial autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens monitor private armies?
- What safeguards prevent personal treasuries?
A Different Perspective
Such definitions may overlook other authoritarian tactics.
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
