It has been frequently remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- America may decide if societies can choose good government through reflection or if they must rely on accident and force.
- In plain terms
- People can choose good government or not.
- What can you take from it?
- Reflection can guide political constitutions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can we choose our politics?
Another view
History shows force often overrides reflection.
More from Alexander Hamilton
We are now forming a republican government. Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.
Permalink to quote #19 In politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution.
Permalink to quote #21 All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are the rich and wellborn, the other the mass of the people...The people are turbulent a…
Permalink to quote #18
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