“A despotism may almost be defined as a tired democracy.”

— G. K. Chesterton , book The Everlasting Man

The Everlasting Man (1925)
Context: If there is one fact we really can prove, from the history that we really do know, it is that despotism can be a development, often a late development and very often indeed the end of societies that have been highly democratic. A despotism may almost be defined as a tired democracy. As fatigue falls on a community, the citizens are less inclined for that eternal vigilance which has truly been called the price of liberty; and they prefer to arm only one single sentinel to watch the city while they sleep.

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G. K. Chesterton 229

English mystery novelist and Christian apologist 1874–1936

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“A despotism may almost be defined as a tired democracy.”

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