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It is an essential part of our social tragedy that people, like farmers, the industrial workers, the medical profession, etc., influence the social process not only by their work, but also - and even predominantly - by political ideologies. For political activity hampers objective, rational activity; it splits professional organizations into warring ideological groups; it disorganizes the industrial workers: it restricts the work of the physician and harms the patients, etc. In brief, political activity prevents precisely what it pretends to achieve: peace, work, security, international cooperation, objective expression of opinion, freedom of belief, etc.

Wilhelm Reich#33

PoliticsSocietyEthicsDivisionEfficiencyManagementProfession

About this quote

What does it mean?
Political activity interferes with rational professional work, dividing groups and harming the very outcomes it claims to promote.
In plain terms
Politics can disrupt professional efficiency and undermine its own goals.
What can you take from it?
Minimize political interference to improve work outcomes.

Where it applies

  • hospital administration
  • industrial management
  • policy making

Putting it to work

  • separate technical decisions from political agendas
  • encourage evidence‑based practices

Questions to consider

  • When does political involvement become harmful to professional work?
  • How can we balance necessary governance with technical autonomy?

Another view

Politics can also provide necessary regulation and advocacy.

More from Wilhelm Reich

  1. The fact that political ideologies are tangible realities is not a proof of their vitally necessary character. The bubonic plague was an extraordinarily powerf…

    Permalink to quote #32
  2. MAN IS FUNDAMENTALLY AN ANIMAL. Animals, as distinct from man, are not machine-like, not sadistic; their societies, within the same species, are incomparably m…

    Permalink to quote #34
  3. Work democracy does not wish to prevent or prohibit anything. Its only intention is the fulfilment of the biological life functions, of love, work and knowledg…

    Permalink to quote #31

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