| WHY do people accept to submit to their rulers? Issue1 #92209 This very interesting question is raised by David Hume in his essay entitled "Of the First Principles of Government", which he wrote in 1741. The introduction to this essay is quoted in the conclusion of a recent article by Jay Rosen where he criticizes the "Twitter can't topple dictators" cliché. |
Here is the quote as it appears at the end of Rosen's article. The reference to the full essay (a couple of pages) is listed below, in the citations section. “Nothing appears more surprizing to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few; and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers. When we enquire by what means this wonder is effected, we shall find, that, as force is always on the side of the governed, the governors have nothing to support them but opinion. It is therefore, on opinion only that government is founded; and this maxim extends to the most despotic and most military governments, as well as to the most free and most popular.”
Rosen concludes his post with this remark: "Let’s add the Internet to what Hume said and see what we get."
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