The danger inherent in reform is that the cure may be worse than the disease. Reform is an operation on the social body; but unlike medical surgeons, reformers are not on guard against unpredictable side effects which may divert the course of reform toward unwanted results. Moreover, quite often the social doctors become part of the disease.
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The conception that government should be guided by majority opinion makes sense only if that opinion is independent of government. read more
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.
It is the besetting vice of democracies to substitute public opinion for law. This is the usual form in which read more
It is the besetting vice of democracies to substitute public opinion for law. This is the usual form in which the masses of men exhibit their tyranny.
...the differences between the conservative and the radical seem to spring mainly from their attitude toward the future. Fear of read more
...the differences between the conservative and the radical seem to spring mainly from their attitude toward the future. Fear of the future causes us to lean against and cling to the present, while faith in the future renders us receptive to change.
Every device employed to bolster individual freedom must have as its chief purpose the impairment of the absoluteness of power. read more
Every device employed to bolster individual freedom must have as its chief purpose the impairment of the absoluteness of power. The indications are that such an impairment is brought about not by strengthening the individual and pitting him against the possessors of power, but by distributing and diversifying power and pitting one category or unit of power against the other. Where power is one, the defeated individual, however strong and resourceful, can have no refuge and no recourse.
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.
Where things have not changed at all, there is the least likelihood of revolution.
Where things have not changed at all, there is the least likelihood of revolution.
So far as business and money are concerned, a country gains nothing by a successful war, even though that war read more
So far as business and money are concerned, a country gains nothing by a successful war, even though that war involves the acquisition of immense new provinces.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that read more
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
The right to be let alone is the underlying principle of the Constitution's Bill of Rights.
The right to be let alone is the underlying principle of the Constitution's Bill of Rights.
