C. S. LewisC. S. Lewis, (1898-1963), British novelist

C. S. Lewis Quote

“We have on the one hand a desperate need; hunger, sickness, and the dread of war. We have, on the other, the conception of something that might meet it: omnicompetent global technocracy. Are not these the ideal opportunity for enslavement? This is how it has entered before; a desperate need (real or apparent) in the one party, a power (real or apparent) to relieve it, in the other.”

C. S. LewisC. S. Lewis
~ C. S. Lewis

Willing Slaves of the Welfare State, first published in The Observer on July 20, 1958
http://liberty-tree.ca/research/willing_slaves_of_the_welfare_state

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

By way or example: Socialism's 2 ends are occupied by communists (Democrats) and fascists (Republicans). When a omnicompetent global technocracy / theocratic problem is observed or created as a desperate need by one side of socialism, the other offers their brand of socialism to fix the dilemma. The ultimate result is always a loss of liberty, freedom, prosperity and rights and an increase of despotism, tyranny, poverty and enslavement.

Ronw13, Yachats OR

What is progress ? Return Liberty to the individual sovereign sure would stifle the State of Reality. Tender mercies of the wicked, are a cruel reward. Waking up sometimes, the mask of pain relief worn off, Americans Waking Up have a choice now. Independence is worth more that gold and silver. It is the meeting of a need, to be responsible for ones own survival. When will some cease from buying and selling the children's inheritance from under their feet. Ignorance is the wedge that divides the family unit. Falsehoods of security preached from the high groves of mans ability to oppress and worship their tin god, of so-called progress. The quote, both ends against the middle. Accurate.

E Archer, NYC

Unchecked power, protected from opposing power through statutes, creates an insatiable leviathan that cannot be tamed. And this is the danger of Liberty, the regulators say, while in fact, the beast has been fed by legions under the thumb and in perpetual debt due to statute and so-called regulation. Centralized power should be distributed to keep such a beast from ever becoming. Income distribution is simply the centralization of power -- it is the exact OPPOSITE of republican government principles.

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