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One of the peculiarities of the American Revolution was that its leaders pinned their hopes on the organization of decision-making read more
One of the peculiarities of the American Revolution was that its leaders pinned their hopes on the organization of decision-making units, the structuring of their incentives, and the counterbalancing of the units against one another, rather than on the more usual (and more exciting) principle of substituting "the good guys" for "the bad guys.".
As hard as modern man strives to be free he is a slave chained to the past.
As hard as modern man strives to be free he is a slave chained to the past.
All lasting change is incremented, based on unfolding traditions and developing institutions. Revolutionary upheavals may change how the world looks read more
All lasting change is incremented, based on unfolding traditions and developing institutions. Revolutionary upheavals may change how the world looks but seldom changes the way the world works. Lasting historical change comes not through tidal waves but through the irresistible creeping tide.
Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
The incestuous relationship between government and big business thrives in the dark.
The incestuous relationship between government and big business thrives in the dark.
Once you get into this great stream of history, you can't get out.
Once you get into this great stream of history, you can't get out.
Patriotism has its roots deep in the instincts and the affections. Love of country is the expansion of dutiful love.
Patriotism has its roots deep in the instincts and the affections. Love of country is the expansion of dutiful love.
Discontent is likely to be highest when misery is bearable; when conditions have so improved that an ideal state seems read more
Discontent is likely to be highest when misery is bearable; when conditions have so improved that an ideal state seems almost within reach. A grievance is most poignant when almost redressed. De Tocqueville in his researches into the state of society in France before the revolution was struck by the discovery that "in no one of the periods which have followed the Revolution of 1789 has the national prosperity of France augmented more rapidly than it did in the twenty years preceding that event." He is forced to conclude that "the French found their position the more intolerable the better it became.
Television is democracy at its ugliest.
Television is democracy at its ugliest.
