Government by Idea

From "The Oxford Book of Aphorisms"

Government by Idea tends to take in everything, to make the whole of society obedient to the idea. Spaces not so governed are unconquered, beyond the border, unconverted, unconvinced, a future danger.

Lord Acton, MSS notes, Cambridge, late 19th-C

Of course, the 20th Century is ripe with governments by Idea, some of which are still surviving. Even in the U.S.A., the political landscape has at times been thick with one type or another of mostly leftist or rightist social philosophy; these have had a profound influence on public office candidate preference. Individuality takes second stage- he is but a pariah outside the realm of political correctness. Socrates knew the wisdom of self reflection and contemplation:

I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.

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