John Stuart Mill Quotes

Individuals often exercise considerable influence upon the fate of society, but this influence is determined by the internal structure of that society and by its relation to other societies

Americans take part in political activities because they believe that by doing so they can influence government decisions

As long as public opinion influences politicians, those who can influence public opinion will have great political weight

Leadership is important in politics.

You may not think about politics, but politics think about you.

The advance planning and sense stimuli employed to capture a $10 million cigarette or soap market are nothing compared to the brainwashing and propaganda blitzes used to ensure control of the largest cash market in the world: the Executive Branch of the United States Government.

Government runs by clout. That's how it runs, by clout.

I have several times suggested that what I call the “Establishment” in this country is today more powerful than ever before. By “Establishment” I do not mean only the centers of official power – though they are certainly part of it – but rather the whole matrix of official and social relations within which power is exercised ... the “Establishment” can be seen at work in the activities of, not only the Prime Minister, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Earl Marshal, but of such lesser mortals as the Chairman of the Arts Council, the Director-General of the BBC, and even the editor of the Times Literary Supplement, not to mention dignitaries like Lady Violet Bonham Carter.

Politics is the art of acquiring, holding and wielding power.

It may well be true that, as a former cabinet member, I had better access than some.

Washington has political power combined with the insider illusion of being in control.

Presidents have molded and been molded by all that happens here [Washington DC].

At all levels, but especially at the top, politics is about people.

Politics is about wanting to be loved.

The social power of the Presidency is one of the most powerful tools a President can use.

Government is no sooner created than it becomes too strong for society, and shapes and moulds, as well as controls it.

The higher classes of a nation can communicate virtue and wisdom to the government, if they themselves are virtuous and wise: but they can never give it strength; for strength always comes from below; it always proceeds from the masses

Politics is about the persuasion required to move people to judgment.

There are many who say in effect that public opinion has little to do with war, that it is explained by the influence of the vested interests who profit by it — armament makers or groups of capitalists. But even when we have admitted that those interests do exert great influence, it only pushes the question further back. Why are the mass of men, millions, powerless in this matter as against a tiny minority … who profit by the general disaster? There are undoubtedly some who say to the millions in effect: "We should like you to go to war because it would expand our profits." But why do the millions obey?

You can get from a politician whatever you demand in this country. The great irony is that everybody complains about how it runs but not enough people direct their force and power directly at the politicians and make demands upon them. Ours is a system that abhors remoteness. If you're remote from this political system, it'll kill you.

The only people whose views count in the legislation that passes are those with big money. It doesn’t matter what the great majority of Americans want. Our Congress is bought.

Politics is power, and communications is power,

Politics organizes our lives. We can't disregard it. Politics has lot of muck, lot of dirt. But that doesn't mean you have to be away from it. It's ubiquitous.

It's very interesting how Washington works. It's not about speeches. It's about relationships.

Let's face it, politics in this country is coin-operated. Does that really equate to a real democracy? It's very difficult to say.