The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The American Republic will survive until politicians can bribe citizens with their own money.
- In plain terms
- Corruption could undermine America.
- What can you take from it?
- Money-driven bribery threatens democratic stability.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What safeguards can prevent bribery?
- How does money influence voter behavior?
Another view
Other factors besides money also affect a republic's endurance.
More from Alexis de Tocqueville
Nothing seems at first sight less important than the outward form of human actions, yet there is nothing upon which men set more store: they grow used to every…
Permalink to quote #71 The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other
Permalink to quote #73 Nothing is quite so wretchedly corrupt as an aristocracy which has lost its power but kept its wealth and which still has endless leisure to devote to nothing …
Permalink to quote #70
Related quotes
'My late mother used to say that it did not matter if you came to this country on the Mayflower or a slave ship, across the Rio Grande or through Ellis Island;…
Carol Moseley BraunCarol Moseley Braun quote #1 Until the control of the issue of currency and credit is restored to government and recognized as its most conspicuous and sacred responsibility, all talks of …
William Lyon Mackenzie KingWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King quote #2 No, let the monarch's bags and others hold The flattering, mighty, nay, al-mighty gold.
John WolcotJohn Wolcot quote #2