Political theory

Explore 233 quotes about Political theory

Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure.

James Madison

Federalist 51

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Topic

Minority rights Political faction Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 51 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1788 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 51, The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments." New York Packet, 8 Feb. 1788.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 51: How to maintain: make the parts check each other. Also, a federal system divides power further.--Madison (or Hamilton)." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part.

James Madison

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Topic

Minority rights Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 51

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1788 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 51, The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments." New York Packet, 8 Feb. 1788.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 51: How to maintain: make the parts check each other. Also, a federal system divides power further.--Madison (or Hamilton)." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states.

Demosthenes

More information about this quote

Topic

Foreign policy International politics Political theory Politics

Speaker

Demosthenes

Medium

Speech

Language

Greek

Time

343 BC 340s BC 4th century BC

Era

Classical antiquity

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Demosthenes. 2nd Philippic. c. 44 BC, Rome, Italy.

It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising the sovereignty. Usurpation is then an easy attainment, and an usurper soon found. The people themselves become the willing instruments of their own debasement and ruin. Let us, then, look to the great cause, and endeavor to preserve it in full force. Let us by all wise and constitutional measures promote intelligence among the people as the best means of preserving our liberties.

James Monroe

First Inaugural Address of James Monroe

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Topic

Moral decline Threats to the nation Threats to freedom Political theory

Speaker

James Monroe

Source

First Inaugural Address of James Monroe Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1817 1810s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Monroe, James. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1817, Front steps, Old Brick Capitol, Washington, DC, USA.

Can authority be more amiable and respectable when it descends from accidents or institutions established in remote antiquity than when it springs fresh from the hearts and judgments of an honest and enlightened people?

John Adams

Inaugural Address of John Adams

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Topic

Tradition vs. modernity Tradition Progress Political theory

Speaker

John Adams

Source

Inaugural Address of John Adams Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1797 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Adams, John. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1797, House Chamber, Congress Hall, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

In a democracy, the people meet and exercise the government in person; in a republic, they assemble and administer it by their representatives and agents. A democracy, consequently, will be confined to a small spot. A republic may be extended over a large region.

James Madison

Federalist 14

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Topic

Republic vs. democracy Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 14 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1787 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 14: Objections to the Proposed Constitution From Extent of Territory Answered." New York Packet, 30 Nov. 1787.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 14: Proposed union not too large for republican government.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Secrecy and a free, democratic government don't mix.

Harry Truman

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Topic

Government secrets Political theory Democracy

Speaker

Harry Truman

Language

English

Time

1972 1970s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Truman, Harry S. Quoted in Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman, by Merle Miller. Berkley Publishing Corporation, 1973. Originally spoken about the CIA, c. 1972.

We are led, by events and common sense, to one conclusion: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world.

George W. Bush

Second Inaugural Address of George W. Bush

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Topic

Spread of freedom and democracy American foreign policy Political theory

Speaker

George W. Bush

Source

Second Inaugural Address of George W. Bush Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

2005 2000s 21st century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Bush, George W. "Second Inaugural Address." 20 Jan. 2005, West Front, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

So long as the State exists, there can be no freedom. When there is freedom there will be no State.

Vladimir Lenin

State and Revolution

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Topic

Government Threats to freedom Freedom Political theory The state Politics

Author

Vladimir Lenin

Source

State and Revolution

Genre

Political literature

Language

Russian

Time

1917 1910s 20th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lenin, Vladimir. Государство и революция [The State and Revolution]. Progress Publishers, 1917, ch. 5, sect. 4.

Current Citation

Lenin, Vladimir. "The State and Revolution." Essential Works of Lenin, edited by Henry M. Christman. Dover Publications, 1987, ch. 5, sect. 4.

The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended.

James Madison

Federalist 10

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Topic

Republic vs. democracy Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 10 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1787 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 10: The Same Subject Continued: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection." Daily Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1787.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 10: An extensive republic a remedy for mischiefs of faction.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism.

Vladimir Lenin

Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism

More information about this quote

Topic

Imperialism Capitalism Political theory

Author

Vladimir Lenin

Source

Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism

Genre

Political literature

Statement Type

Definition

Language

Russian

Time

1917 1910s 20th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lenin, Vladimir. Империализм как высшая стадия капитализма [Imperialism, the Newest Stage of Capitalism]. Petrograd: Zhizn i Znaniye Publishers, 1917, pt. 7.

Current Citation

Lenin, Vladimir. "Imperialism, the Highest State of Capitalism." Essential Works of Lenin, edited by Henry M. Christman. Dover Publications, 1987, pt. 7.

A landed interest, a manufacturing interest, a mercantile interest, a moneyed interest, with many lesser interests, grow up of necessity in civilized nations, and divide them into different classes, actuated by different sentiments and views. The regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principal task of modern legislation, and involves the spirit of party and faction in the necessary and ordinary operations of the government.

James Madison

Federalist 10

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Topic

Political faction Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 10 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1787 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 10: The Same Subject Continued: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection." Daily Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1787.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 10: An extensive republic a remedy for mischiefs of faction.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Liberty, too, must be limited in order to be possessed.

Edmund Burke

More information about this quote

Topic

Political theory Freedom Politics

Author

Edmund Burke

Source

Letters of Edmund Burke

Medium

Letter

Language

English

Time

1777 1770s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Burke, Edmund. A Letter to John Farr and John Harris, Esqs., Sheriffs of the City of Bristol, on the Affairs of America. London: J. Dodsley, 3 Apr. 1777.

Current Citation

Burke, Edmund. "A Letter to the Sheriffs of Bristol on the Affairs of America." The Portable Edmund Burke, edited by Isaac Kramnick. Penguin, 2009.

Anyone who campaigns for public office becomes disqualified for holding any office at all.

Thomas More

Utopia

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Topic

Political campaigns Political theory Politics

Author

Thomas More

Source

Utopia

Genre

Satire Political literature

Statement Type

Paradox

Language

Latin

Time

1516 1510s 16th century

Authentication Score 1

Original Citation

More, Thomas. Libellus vere aureus, nec minus salutaris quam festivus, de optimo rei publicae statu deque nova insula Utopia. Leuven: Self-published, 1516, bk. 2.

Current Citation

More, Thomas. Utopia, edited and translated by Paul Turner. Penguin Classics, 2003, bk. 2.

The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man; and we see them everywhere brought into different degrees of activity, according to the different circumstances of civil society.

James Madison

Federalist 10

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More information about this quote

Topic

Political faction Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 10 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1787 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 10: The Same Subject Continued: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection." Daily Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1787.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 10: An extensive republic a remedy for mischiefs of faction.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

A pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person, can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction.

James Madison

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Topic

Democracy Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 10

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1787 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 10: The Same Subject Continued: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection." Daily Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1787.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 10: An extensive republic a remedy for mischiefs of faction.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. So governments' programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth.

Ronald Reagan

More information about this quote

Topic

Big government Government Political theory

Speaker

Ronald Reagan

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1964 1960s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Reagan, Ronald. "A Time for Choosing." U.S. presidential election campaign. 27 Oct. 1964, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA. TV broadcast.

Power and violence are opposites; where the one rules absolutely, the other is absent.

Hannah Arendt

On Violence

More information about this quote

Topic

Power Violence Opposites Political theory Politics

Author

Hannah Arendt

Source

On Violence

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

English

Time

1969 1960s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Arendt, Hannah. "On Violence." Crises of the Republic. Vintage, 1972, ch. 2. Originally published as "A Special Supplement: Reflections on Violence." by The New York Review, 27 Feb. 1969.

Wherever a knave is not punished, an honest man is laughed at.

George Savile, Lord Halifax

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Topic

Rule of law Criminal law Law Political theory Politics

Author

George Savile, Lord Halifax

Source

A Character of King Charles II

Language

English

Time

1750 1750s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Savile, George. "Of Punishment." A Character of King Charles The Second and Political, Moral and Miscellaneous Thoughts and Reflections. London: J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper, 1750.

Whatsoever is of domestic concernment, unconnected with the other members of the Union or with foreign lands, belongs exclusively to the administration of the State governments. Whatsoever directly involves the rights and interests of the federative fraternity or of foreign powers is of the resort of this General Government. The duties of both are obvious in the general principle, though sometimes perplexed with difficulties in the detail.

John Quincy Adams

Inaugural Address of John Quincy Adams

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Topic

Federalism Subsidiarity American government Political theory

Speaker

John Quincy Adams

Source

Inaugural Address of John Quincy Adams Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1825 1820s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Adams, John Quincy. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1825, House Chamber, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.