All political power comes from the barrel of either guns, pussy, or opium pipes, and people seem to like it that way.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author claims that political power ultimately relies on force, attraction, or control of substances, and people accept this.
- In plain terms
- Political power comes from guns, sex, or drugs, and people seem okay with that.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize that power often depends on basic human drives rather than ideals.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What actually drives political support?
- Is this view too cynical?
Another view
This view reduces complex political systems to only three basic drivers.
More from Hunter S. Thompson
The only difference between the Sane and the Insane, is IN and yet within this world, the Sane have the power to have the Insane locked up.
Permalink to quote #43 We are like pygmies lost in a maze of haze. We are not at war, we are having a nervous breakdown,again.
Permalink to quote #45 I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours.
Permalink to quote #42
Related quotes
If those in charge of our society - politicians, corporate executives, and owners of press and television - can dominate our ideas, they will be secure in thei…
Howard ZinnHoward Zinn quote #1 To be governed is to be watched over, inspected, spied on, directed, legislated at, regulated, docketed, indoctrinated, preached at, controlled, assessed, weig…
P. J. ProudhonP. J. Proudhon quote #2 The authorities are those who are clever, strong and smart, but if the process gets out of control of the commanders, it becomes something negative.
Seyran OhanyanSeyran Ohanyan quote #2