Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice.
Woodrow WilsonRead
An invisible empire has been set up above the forms of Democracy
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that there are hidden power structures influencing democracy.
Woodrow Wilson's quote points to the idea that even within democratic systems, there exist unseen forces or elite groups that exercise significant influence over decision-making and governance, which can undermine the true essence of democracy. This notion implies a critical view of the power dynamics in political structures, emphasizing that what appears democratic on the surface might be manipulated by those in power behind the scenes.
Themes
DemocracyPowerInfluencePoliticsGovernance
In practice
Example use cases
During a political debate to highlight concerns about hidden agendas within government.
More from Woodrow Wilson
All quotes βSince trade ignores national boundaries and the manufacturer insists on having the world as a market, the flag of his nation must follow him, and the doors of the nations which are closed against him must be battered down. Concessions obtained by financiers must be safeguarded by ministers of state, even if the sovereignty of unwilling nations be outraged in the process. Colonies must be obtained or planted, in order that no useful corner of the world may be overlooked or left unused.
Woodrow WilsonRead
The history of liberty is the history of limitations on the power of government, not the increase of it. When we resist, therefore, the concentration of power, we are resisting the processes of death, because concentration of power is what always precedes the destruction of human liberties.
Woodrow WilsonRead
We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers.
Woodrow WilsonRead
The way to stop financial joyriding is to arrest the chauffeur, not the automobile.
Woodrow WilsonRead
Once lead this people into war, and they'll forget there ever was such a thing as tolerance. To fight, you must be brutal and ruthless, and the spirit of ruthless brutality will enter into the very fiber of our national life, infecting Congress, the courts, the policeman on the beat, the man in the street.
Woodrow WilsonRead
Similar quotes
I am a freeman, an American, a United States Senator, and a Democrat, in that order.
Lyndon B. JohnsonRead
Want to depose the government of a poor country with resources? Want to bash Muslims? Want to build support for American military interventions around the world? Want to undermine governments that are raising their people up from poverty because they don't conform to the tastes of Upper West Side intellectuals? Use human rights as your excuse!
Stephen KinzerRead
Hamas is a terror organization with a covenant that speaks about the elimination of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. They are not partners for negotiations.
Ariel SharonRead
A politician should have three hats. One for throwing into the ring, one for talking through, and one for pulling rabbits out of if elected.
Carl SandburgRead
When Estonia reestablished its sovereignty after a half century of successive thuggish, totalitarian, foreign occupations by the Soviets, the Nazis, and then again the Soviets, we knew we wanted to create a democratic country characterized by rule of law and respect for human rights.
Toomas Hendrik IlvesRead
If we want people to vote, we need to make it a larger part of their self-image.
Adam GrantRead