The successful politician owes his power to the fact that he moves within the accepted framework of thought, that he thinks and talks conventionally. It would be almost a contradiction in terms for a politician to be a leader in the field of ideas. His task in a democracy is to find out what the opinions held by the largest number are, not to give currency to new opinions which may become the majority view in some distant future.
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My brother Bob doesn't want to be in government -- he promised Dad he'd go straight.
My brother Bob doesn't want to be in government -- he promised Dad he'd go straight.
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 soil of their native land is dear to all the hearts of mankind.
The soil of their native land is dear to all the hearts of mankind.
The disposition of all power is to abuses, nor does it at all mend the matter that its possessors are read more
The disposition of all power is to abuses, nor does it at all mend the matter that its possessors are a majority.
Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.
Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.
The ability to get along without an exceptional leader is the mark of social vigor.
The ability to get along without an exceptional leader is the mark of social vigor.
...the case for individual freedom rests largely on the recognition of the inevitable and universal ignorance of all of us read more
...the case for individual freedom rests largely on the recognition of the inevitable and universal ignorance of all of us concerning a great many of the factors on which the achievements of our ends and welfare depend.
When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong you cannot be too conservative.
When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong you cannot be too conservative.
We are anxious when there is a dissonance between our "knowledge" and the perceivable facts. Since our "knowledge" is not read more
We are anxious when there is a dissonance between our "knowledge" and the perceivable facts. Since our "knowledge" is not to be doubted or questioned, it is the facts that have to be altered...
