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About this quote

What does it mean?
Government limits depend on a state's nature and civilization stage, requiring careful discovery for future administration.
In plain terms
Government power limits change based on the state and time.
What can you take from it?
Define government limits based on your specific state context.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • government reform
  • public administration

Putting it to work

  • assess state needs before setting limits
  • study civilizational stage

Questions to consider

  • What limits fit your state now?
  • How does civilization stage affect power?

Another view

Determining these limits can be highly subjective and difficult.

More from Arnold Toynbee

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  3. Economists, firstly, regard only one part of man's nature, and treat him simply as a money-making animal; secondly, they disregard the influence of custom, and…

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