Character Quote by Paul Johnson
““Virtue is the product of good government. ‘Vices belong less to man, than to man badly governed.’ The political process, and the new kind of state it brings into being, are the universal remedies for the ills of mankind.49 Politics will do all. Rousseau thus prepared the blueprint for the principal delusions and follies of the twentieth century.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Modern Political Thought, 2001
Good governance fosters virtue; poor governance breeds vice
In simple terms: Government quality shapes moral behavior
Key Takeaway
Support effective governance for societal health
Themes
politics
morality
state
Mood
analytical
hopeful
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- civic education
Key Concepts
social contract
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms ensure accountability in governance?
- How can citizens influence moral outcomes?
A Different Perspective
Good government alone cannot eliminate all vices
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