But which is the State's essential function, aggression or defence, few seem to know or care.
Benjamin TuckerRead
Is not the very beginning of privilege, monopoly and industrial slavery this erecting of the ballot-box above the individual?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that prioritizing the ballot box over individual rights can lead to oppression and inequality.
Benjamin Tucker's quote reflects a deep concern about the implications of democracy when it elevates collective decision-making, symbolized by the ballot box, above individual autonomy. He warns that this can create a system where privilege and monopolies thrive, as the majority can impose their will on individuals, leading to a form of industrial slavery where the individual's rights are neglected in favor of the masses' choice.
Themes
PrivilegeMonopolyBallot-BoxIndividualDemocracyOppression
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on voting rights, this quote can illustrate concerns about majority rule superseding individual freedoms.
More from Benjamin Tucker
All quotes βThe main question ... is not what motive inspired the law, but what it will be possible for men of bad motive to do with the law.
Benjamin TuckerRead
There is no freedom that I would grant to any man that I would refuse to woman, and there is no freedom that I would refuse to either man or woman except the freedom to invade ... whoever has the ballot has the freedom to invade, and whoever wants the ballot wants the freedom to invade. Give woman equality with man, by all means; but do it by taking power from man, not giving it to woman.
Benjamin TuckerRead
Government is the assumption of authority over a given area and all within it, exercised generally for the double purpose of more complete oppression of its subjects and extension of its boundaries.
Benjamin TuckerRead
Voting is merely a labor-saving device for ascertaining on which side force lies and bowing to the inevitable... It is neither more nor less than a paper representative of the bayonet, the bully, and the bullet.
Benjamin TuckerRead
To force a man to pay for the violation of his own liberty is indeed an addition of insult to injury.
Benjamin TuckerRead
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