The conception that government should be guided by majority opinion makes sense only if that opinion is independent of government. The ideal of democracy rests on the belief that the view which will direct government emerges from an independent and spontaneous process. It requires, therefore, the existence of a large sphere independent of majority control in which the opinions of the individuals are formed.
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All government, in its essence, is organized exploitation, and in virtually all of its existing forms it is the implacable read more
All government, in its essence, is organized exploitation, and in virtually all of its existing forms it is the implacable enemy of every industrious and well-disposed man.
If the small minority of enlightened citizens who are able to conceive sound principles of political management do not succeed read more
If the small minority of enlightened citizens who are able to conceive sound principles of political management do not succeed in winning the support of their fellow citizens and converting them to the endorsement of policies that bring and preserve prosperity, the cause of mankind and civilization is hopeless. There is no other means to safeguard a propitious development of human affairs than to make the masses of inferior people adopt the ideas of the elite. This has to be achieved by convincing them. It cannot be accomplished by a despotic regime that instead of enlightening the masses beats them into submission. In the long run the ideas of the majority, however detrimental they may be, will carry on. The future of mankind depends on the ability of the elite to influence public opinion in the right direction.
The whole art of politics consists in directing rationally the irrationalities of men.
The whole art of politics consists in directing rationally the irrationalities of men.
We are as free as and free in exactly the sense that our neuronal processes are free.
We are as free as and free in exactly the sense that our neuronal processes are free.
If you seek violence, we will seek to put you in jail.
If you seek violence, we will seek to put you in jail.
Many a bum show has been saved by the flag.
Many a bum show has been saved by the flag.
If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal.
If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal.
Power tires only those who do not have it.
Power tires only those who do not have it.
Nothing can so alienate a voter from the political system as backing a winning candidate.
Nothing can so alienate a voter from the political system as backing a winning candidate.
