Ignorance is an evil weed, which dictators may cultivate among their dupes, but which no democracy can afford among its citizens.
William BeveridgeRead
The object of government in peace and in war is not the glory of rulers or of races, but the happiness of common man.
Interpretation
Government's true goal should be the happiness of ordinary people, not the fame of leaders or nations.
This quote emphasizes that the fundamental purpose of government, whether in peacetime or wartime, should prioritize the well-being and happiness of the general population rather than the ambitions or glorification of those in power. It suggests that true leadership is measured by how well it serves the needs and happiness of its citizens, reflecting a government that is accountable to the people it governs.
In practice
During a political rally to emphasize the importance of serving the people's needs over political ambitions.
Ignorance is an evil weed, which dictators may cultivate among their dupes, but which no democracy can afford among its citizens.
Like the effect of advertising upon the customer, the methods of political propaganda tend to increase the feeling of insignificance of the individual voter.
Politics is so personal, vicious and immediate, how are you going to get anything done? Even the local politics where I live have gotten so ugly.
The potential for the abuse of power through digital networks - upon which we the people now depend for nearly everything, including our politics - is one of the most insidious threats to democracy in the Internet age.
Whenever you have political conflict, such as the one that we have now between Russia and Ukraine, but also in many other conflicts around the world, it has always proved to be right to try again and again to solve such a conflict.
All the common people want is to be left alone. All the ordinary soldier wants is to collect his pay and not get killed. That's why the great forces of history can be manipulated by astonishingly small groups of determined people.
You call that statesmanship. I call it an emotional spasm.
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