Accepting Quote by William F. Buckley, Jr
“We have got to accept Big Government for the duration-for neither an offensive nor a defensive war can be waged, given our present government skills, except through the instrument of a totalitarian bureaucracy within our shores. … And if they deem Soviet power a menace to our freedom (as I happen to), they will have to support large armies and air forces, atomic energy, central intelligence, war production boards, and the attendant centralization of power in Washington-even with Truman at the reins of it all.”
About This Quote
Source Book: "The Question of Government" by William F. Buckley, Jr., 1961
Accepting a strong central government is seen as necessary for war, but it creates a totalitarian bureaucracy that concentrates power.
In simple terms: Big government is justified for war, yet it centralizes power dangerously.
Key Takeaway
Weigh security against liberty.
Themes
politics
war
government
freedom
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- national defense
- civil liberties debates
- public discourse
Key Concepts
totalitarianism
centralization
military-industrial complex
Questions to Reflect On
- Is a strong government worth the loss of freedoms?
- How can we balance security with liberty?
A Different Perspective
Such centralization can erode democratic checks.
