Wed, 14 December 2011
Again, an email conversation at work prompted this post today.
" Two centuries ago, a somewhat obscure Scotsman named Tytler made this profound observation: 'A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy.' "
- Elmer T. Peterson, The Daily Oklahoman, December 9, 1951
"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
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From bondage to spiritual faith;
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From spiritual faith to great courage;
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From courage to liberty;
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From liberty to abundance;
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From abundance to selfishness;
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From selfishness to complacency;
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From complacency to apathy;
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From apathy to dependence;
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From dependence back into bondage."
- H. W. Prentis, "Industrial Management in a Republic", 1943