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About this quote

What does it mean?
Only a small part of society can be consciously designed by humans.
In plain terms
Most of society works by forces we cannot fully control or design.
What can you take from it?
Accept limits to rational social design.

Where it applies

  • political theory
  • institutional design
  • social science

Putting it to work

  • focus on small-scale reforms
  • respect tradition
  • humble planning

Questions to consider

  • Which parts of society are designed?
  • How much should we trust tradition?

Another view

Human reason has achieved significant social progress.

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