American government Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“When all government ...in little as in great things... shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power; it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another, and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1790
Centralizing power creates a single, unaccountable authority that becomes corrupt.
In simple terms: Power concentrates and corrupts.
Key Takeaway
Distribute authority to prevent abuse.
Themes
political power
centralization
checks and balances
Mood
cautionary
political
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- legislative design
- constitutional drafting
- policy making
- public administration
Key Concepts
federalism
government structure
corruption risk
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can prevent power concentration?
- How does centralization affect local autonomy?
A Different Perspective
Decentralization may reduce efficiency in decision‑making.
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