Achieve Quote by Zbigniew Brzezinski
“More directly linked to the impact of technology, it involves the gradual appearance of a more controlled and directed society. Such a society would be dominated by an elite whose claim to political power would rest on allegedly superior scientific know-how. Unhindered by the restraints of traditional liberal values, this elite would not hesitate to achieve its political ends by using the latest modern techniques for influencing public behavior and keeping society under close surveillance and control.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Grand Chessboard by Zbigniew Brzezinski, 1997
Technological control can create a technocratic elite that governs society through surveillance and manipulation, bypassing traditional liberal checks.
In simple terms: Tech can enable a ruling elite that controls people via data and surveillance.
Key Takeaway
Guard democratic institutions and privacy against tech‑driven authoritarianism.
Themes
technology
power
surveillance
elitism
political control
Mood
cautious
critical
analytical
Type
political
ethical
sociological
When to use this quote
- policy making
- civil society activism
- privacy advocacy
- tech regulation
Key Concepts
political science
ethics
information theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance innovation with liberty?
- What safeguards protect against technocratic overreach?
A Different Perspective
Such control may be resisted by decentralized technologies and public awareness.
