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Civil rights Quote by Salvador de Madariaga

“To-day, in more than half of Europe, man is at the mercy of the police; in 1900 even the most conservative and reactionary Prussian Junker would have been unable to imagine, let alone approve, that a citizen could be arrested and kept in prision at the pleasure of the Government.” quote by Salvador de Madariaga
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““To-day, in more than half of Europe, man is at the mercy of the police; in 1900 even the most conservative and reactionary Prussian Junker would have been unable to imagine, let alone approve, that a citizen could be arrested and kept in prision at the pleasure of the Government.””

Salvador de Madariaga

About This Quote

Source Speech: European Commentary, early 20th century

Citizens in many European nations are increasingly subject to police control, a shift unimaginable to earlier conservative elites.

In simple terms: People face growing police power.

Key Takeaway

Beware of expanding state control.

Themes

politics civil liberties state power history society

Mood

concerned critical

Type

political historical

When to use this quote

  • public policy debates
  • civil rights activism
  • historical analysis

Key Concepts

Surveillance authoritarianism rights erosion

Questions to Reflect On

  • What safeguards protect civil liberties?
  • How does public awareness affect police power?
A Different Perspective

Historical context can differ across societies.

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