John Dewey Quotes

The most powerful men were those who most effectively used the power of adult competence to enforce childish agreements.

Influence is a very unpleasant subject and I deal with it in a maybe irresponsible way, which is to really ignore it. It would be a nightmare if we started to really think about it; it would tie our hands, it would tie everyone else's hands.

You know, you can't make the people do what you want them to do.

The voice of authority speaks not for the one but for the many; authority figures have a strong and rapid effect on social norms in part because they change our assumptions about what other people think.

Relatively few people have the resources needed to resist authority.

Power never turns power down, ever, unless institutionally demanded.

The power to define the situation is the ultimate power.

You are controlling because I want you to do it, not because of the situation or what needs to be done.

One of the main ways that leadership stays in power is by, in various ways, convincing people that they should just let those who are in government govern: 'Trust us. Trust me. Just let us take care of things. Stay out of it.' Your opinions don't really matter. You are isolated. You are insignificant.

The risk to be percieved defines the duty to be obeyed.

We must form men so that they can only will what we wish them to will.

Conformity--the natural instinct to passively yield to that vague something recognized as authority.

Those who fear men like laws.

We use language that has been designed to keep order, and to keep people in line.

Anticipatory obedience teaches authorities what is possible and accelerates unfreedom.

One of the guiding beliefs of our consuming age is that we are all free and independent individuals. That we can choose to do pretty much what we want, and if we can't, then it's bad. But at the same time, co-existing alongside this, there is a completely different, parallel universe where we all seem meekly to do what those in power tell us to do.

An expert is someone who articulates the needs of those in power.

Obedience simulates subordination as fear of the police simulates honesty.

Authority, as you usually think of it, is merely the excuse the strong use to make others conform to what they want.

And next to Allie, the screamer, once more reminded of his job, began to wail in Allie's ear. Reflexively Allie clapped her hand over his mouth. "That," she said, "is totally uncalled for. Don't do that again. Ever." The screamer looked at her with worried eyes. "Are we clear on this subject?" said Allie. The screamer nodded and she removed her hand. "Can I scream a little?" he asked. "No," said Allie. "Your screaming days are over." "Darn." And he was quiet thereafter.

Obey, obey, obey, then do what you want.

Hume's paradox does hold: power is in the hands of the governed. If they refuse to accept it, you're in trouble, no matter how many guns you have.

My relationship to power and authority is that I'm all for it.

One day old Thrashbarg said that Almighty Bob had declared that he, Thrashbarg, was to have first pick of the sandwiches. The villagers asked him when this had happened, exactly, and Thrashbarg said it had happened yesterday, when they weren't looking. 'Have faith,' Old Thrashbarg said, 'or burn!' They let him have first pick of the sandwiches. It seemed easiest.

Social control is best managed through fear.