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About this quote

What does it mean?
Totalitarian tyranny stems not from the virtues of its leaders but from liberal mistakes.
In plain terms
Tyranny arises because of liberal errors, not totalitarian virtues.
What can you take from it?
Liberal failures can enable authoritarianism.

Where it applies

  • political analysis
  • policy critique

Putting it to work

  • examine liberal policies for unintended consequences
  • strengthen democratic safeguards

Questions to consider

  • What specific liberal mistakes foster tyranny?
  • How can liberals prevent authoritarian drift?

Another view

It may oversimplify complex causes of tyranny.

More from Albert Camus

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  2. Totality is, in effect, nothing other than the ancient dream of unity common to both believers and rebels, but projected horizontally onto an earth deprived of…

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  3. To tell the truth, far from being romantic, I believe in the necessity of a rule and an order. I merely say that there can be no question of just any rule what…

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