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War is in fact the true nurse of executive aggrandizement
James Madison
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Interpretation

What this quote means

War often leads to the expansion of governmental power and authority.

James Madison suggests that war acts as a catalyst for the growth of executive power, implying that in times of conflict, leaders may take actions that increase their control and influence over society. This perspective highlights the tension between national security and individual freedoms, as the necessity of war can lead to a different balance of power within a government.

Themes

WarGovernmentPowerExecutiveAuthority

In practice

Example use cases

During a political debate on civil liberties, one could invoke this quote to argue against excessive governmental power in times of war.

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The magnitude of this evil among us is so deeply felt, and so universally acknowledged, that no merit could be greater than that of devising a satisfactory remedy for it.
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