Barbarism Quote by Sam Harris
“You know, when you get to the New World and you develop your three branches of government and you have a civil society, you can just jettison all the barbarism I recommended in the first books.”
About This Quote
Source Podcast: “Making Sense” episode on political philosophy, 2018
The quote suggests that establishing a civil society with checks and balances allows us to discard outdated, barbaric ideas.
In simple terms: A stable government lets us reject old cruelties.
Key Takeaway
Build institutions that enable progress.
Themes
government
civil society
progress
Mood
analytical
optimistic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- new democracies
- post‑colonial states
- reform movements
- policy making
Key Concepts
political theory
institutional design
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms ensure institutions stay progressive?
- How do we prevent new forms of barbarism?
A Different Perspective
Even with good institutions, entrenched interests can resist change.
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