Autocratic Quote by S.A. Smith
““The government hoped that it could carry out modernization whilst maintaining tight control over society. Yet the effect of industrialization, urbanization, internal migration, and the emergence of new social classes was to set in train forces that served to erode the foundations of the autocratic state.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rise of Modern Autocracies, 2019
Modernization pressures erode autocratic control, spawning new social forces that weaken the state.
In simple terms: Industrialization weakens autocratic control.
Key Takeaway
Adapt governance to social change.
Themes
politics
modernization
social change
Mood
analytical
serious
Type
academic
historical
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- urban planning
- social movements
Key Concepts
state theory
economic development
class formation
Questions to Reflect On
- What reforms can preserve stability?
- How do new classes challenge authority?
A Different Perspective
Autocracies may resist but cannot stop change.
