Cherish Quote by Rebecca Solnit
“Think of civil society and the state as joined in a marriage of necessity. You already know who the wife is, the one who is supposed to love, cherish and obey: that's civil society. Think of the state as the domineering husband who expects to have a monopoly on power, on violence, on planning and policymaking.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Politics of the Everyday” by Rebecca Solnit, 2015
Civil society and the state are interdependent, but the state dominates power while civil society is expected to be submissive.
In simple terms: State holds power; society expected to obey.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and balance power dynamics.
Themes
power
society
state
dependence
gender roles
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community organizing
- activism
- public discourse
Key Concepts
political theory
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can civil society assert agency?
- What checks can limit state dominance?
A Different Perspective
State may overreach, limiting civil freedoms.
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