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The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.
John Adams
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Interpretation

What this quote means

A free government is defined by its ability to regulate competing interests.

John Adams emphasizes that the core principle of a free government lies in its capacity to manage and balance the competing rivalries among different groups or interests within society. This control is vital to prevent any one faction from overpowering others, thereby ensuring a fair and just governance that upholds liberty for all citizens.

Themes

Free GovernmentControlRivalriesBalanceLiberty

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a political debate to highlight the importance of governance in managing interests.

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