American politics is a struggle, not of men but of forces. The men become every year more and more creatures of force, massed about central power houses.
Henry AdamsRead
Modern politics is, at bottom, a struggle not of men but of forces. The men become every year more and more creatures of force, massed about central powerhouses. The conflict is no longer between the men, but between the motors that drive the men, and the men tend to succumb to their own motive forces.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that modern politics is driven by underlying forces rather than individual leaders, with individuals becoming influenced by these larger powers.
Henry Adams expresses the idea that contemporary politics shifts focus from individual politicians to the underlying forces that shape their actions and decisions. As these forces gain more power, the politicians, referred to as mere 'creatures of force,' tend to yield to them. This indicates a significant change in the political landscape where the true struggle lies not between individuals, but between the powerful influences that dictate their behavior and the dynamics they operate within.
Themes
PoliticsPowerInfluenceForcesMen
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about political dynamics, one might say, 'As Henry Adams noted, modern politics is driven by the forces at play rather than individual leaders.'
More from Henry Adams
All quotes →Of all studies, the one he would rather have avoided was that of his own mind. He knew no tragedy so heartrending as introspection.
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Simplicity is the most deceitful mistress that ever betrayed man.
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Church and State, Soul and Body, God and Man, are all one at Mont Saint Michel, and the business of all is to fight, each in his own way, or to stand guard for each other.
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The American President resembles the commander of a ship at sea. He must have a helm to grasp, a course to steer, a port to seek.
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The effect of power and publicity on all men is the aggravation of self, a sort of tumor that ends by killing the victim's sympathies.
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