Benefits Quote by Nicholas Lemann
“I am always suspicious of the formulation that "politics" has prevented a great idea from being enacted by government. Politics IS government, in a democratic society. It's a challenge for school reformers, like reformers in any realm, to build a popular constituency for their work. If the people it's supposed to benefit vote against it, that tells me that the person pushing reform lacks political skill. And political skill is a good thing.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times Magazine, “The Trouble With School Reform”, 2015
Political skill is essential for reformers because without public support, even good ideas fail to be enacted.
In simple terms: Reform needs popular support or it fails.
Key Takeaway
Build political skill and constituency.
Themes
politics
reform
leadership
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- school reform
- legislative advocacy
- community organizing
- campaign strategy
Key Concepts
public opinion
democratic process
policy implementation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can reformers engage skeptics?
- What tactics build broad support?
A Different Perspective
Political skill alone may not overcome entrenched interests.
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
