A people may prefer a free government, but if...they are unequal to the exertions necessary for preserving it; if they will not fight for it when it is directly attacked; ...if by momentary discouragement, or temporary panic, or a fit of enthusiasm for an individual, they can be induced to lay their liberties at the feet even of a great man, or trust him with powers which enable him to subvert their institutions, in all these cases they are more or less unfit for liberty....and [are] unlikely long to enjoy it.
John Stuart Mill. Considerations of Representative Government. 1861.
1 comment:
That's a great quote, kind of prophetic about our time!
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