Centralization of Authority Quotes

The rise of the presidency began with the Louisiana Purchase, which in 1803 doubled the land mass of the United States. History taught the framers that, just as Rome changed from republic to empire with conquest of new lands, territorial acquisition would lead to the centralization of political power.

In inner-party politics, these methods lead, as we shall yet see, to this: the party organization substitutes itself for the party, the central committee substitutes itself for the organization, and, finally, a "dictator" substitutes himself for the central committee.

The growth of our nation and all its activities are in the hands of a few men.

It is the growing custom to narrow control, concentrate power, disregard and disfranchise the public; and assuming that certain powers by divine right of money-raising or by sheer assumption, have the power to do as they think best without consulting the wisdom of mankind.

Modern politics is, at bottom, a struggle not of men but of forces. The men become every year more and more creatures of force, masses about central powerhouses. The conflict is no longer between the men, but between the motors that drive men [i.e. governments], and the men who succumb to their own motive forces.

The tendency of the legislation of this country is to build up monopolies, ... to concentrate power in the hands of the few.

Putin needs strong moves to keep the country as one. There is some criticism that he is centralizing power, but in Russia, if you don't centralize power, you have the risk of losing the country.

It is my belief there is too much concentration of power and spending in Washington.

One must bear in mind that the expansion of federal activity is a form of eating for politicians.

The important decisions of the country are being made by a smaller and smaller group in the White House…. The Executive Branch has lost the ability to use the resources that are there [The Civil Servants].