Authority Quote by Walter Lippmann
““Though it is disguised by the illusion that a bureaucracy accountable to a majority of voters, and susceptible to the pressure of organized minorities, is not exercising compulsion, it is evident that the more varied and comprehensive the regulation becomes, the more the state becomes a despotic power as against the individual. For the fragment of control over the government which he exercises through his vote is in no effective sense proportionate to the authority exercised over him by the government.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Public Opinion, 1922
More regulation gives the state more power over individuals, despite democratic appearances.
In simple terms: Regulation can turn democracy into control.
Key Takeaway
Guard against excessive regulation.
Themes
democracy
regulation
power
individual rights
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- citizen activism
- legal reform
- media analysis
Key Concepts
political theory
civil liberty
government overreach
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance safety and freedom?
- What safeguards prevent abuse of power?
A Different Perspective
Complex issues may require regulation for public safety.
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