--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To check centralization and usurping of…" description: "\"To check centralization and usurping of power ... we require a new laissez-faire. The old laissez-faire was founded upon a misapprehension of human nat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a95/russell-kirk-6909_atoms_to-check-centralization-and-usurping-of_2328996.jpg" --- # To check centralization and usurping of power ... we… ![“To check centralization and usurping of power ... we require a new laissez-faire. The old laissez-faire was founded upon a misapprehension of human nature, an exultation of individuality (in private character often a virtue) to the condition of a political dogma, which destroyed the spirit of…” quote by Russell Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a95/russell-kirk-6909_atoms_to-check-centralization-and-usurping-of_2328996.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a95/russell-kirk-6909_atoms_to-check-centralization-and-usurping-of_2328996.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a95/russell-kirk-6909_atoms_to-check-centralization-and-usurping-of_2328996.jpg) > “To check centralization and usurping of power ... we require a new laissez-faire. The old laissez-faire was founded upon a misapprehension of human nature, an exultation of individuality (in private character often a virtue) to the condition of a political dogma, which destroyed the spirit of community and reduced men to so many equipollent atoms of humanity, without sense of brotherhood or purpose.” [Russell Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-kirk/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author argues that laissez-faire should be redefined to balance individual freedom with communal responsibility, avoiding the reduction of humans to isolated atoms. **In simple terms:** Laissez-faire must protect community, not just individuals. Key Takeaway Promote policies that blend liberty with social cohesion. Themes individualism community political philosophy Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy design - community building - education reform - corporate governance Key Concepts social contract human nature political economy Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance individual rights with communal duties? - What mechanisms ensure community spirit without authoritarian control? A Different Perspective Too much emphasis on community can suppress personal autonomy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atoms/) [Brotherhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brotherhood/) [Centralization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centralization/) [Centralization Usurping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centralization-usurping-5595158/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Checks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/checks/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Condition Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/condition-political-2837868/) [Conditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditions/) [Conservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative/) [Destroyed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroyed/) [Dogma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dogma/) [Human nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-nature/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Individuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuality/) [Laissez faire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laissez-faire/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Political Dogma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-dogma-2290919/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [You have to be able to solve problems issue by issue. 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Buckley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley-jr/) > [They do not want to know that centralization is not only the death-knell of liberty, but also of health and beauty, of art and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/they-do-not-want-to-know-that-centralization-is-not-only-the-death/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [Palaeontological research exhibits, beyond question, the phenomenon of provinces in time, as well as provinces in space. Moreover, all our knowledge of organic remains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-forbes/palaeontological-research-exhibits-beyond-question-the-phenomenon-of/) [Edward Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-forbes/) > [“The freer an economy is, the more this human diversity of knowledge will be manifested. 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