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Quote by Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn

“ust discrimination,” in other words, “preference based on merit” is conspicuously absent in a process which, in our society, has a deep and wide influence as a sanctified example—political elections. Whether it is a genuinely democratic election in the West or a plebiscitarian comedy in the East, the one-man-one-vote principle is now taken for granted. The knowledge, the experience, the merits, the standing in the community, the sex, the wealth, the taxes, the military record of the voter do not count, only the vegetable principle of age—he must be 18, 21, 24 years old and still “on the hoof.” The 21-year-old semiliterate prostitute and the 65-year-old professor of political science who has lost an arm in the war, has a large family, carries a considerable tax burden, and has a real understanding of the political problems on which he is expected to cast his ballot—they are politically equal as citizens. Compared with a 20-year-old student of political science our friendly little prostitute actually rates higher as a voter.”

Quote by Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn

Work

Leftism Revisited: From de Sade and Marx to Hitler and Pol Pot

This book delves into the development and influence of left-wing political ideologies, tracing their origins with figures like de Sade and Marx and analyzing their manifestation in regimes led by Hitler and Pol Pot. It provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of leftism and its consequences. more

Author

Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn
Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn

Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn was an influential Austrian writer and columnist, recognized for his conservative and Catholic perspectives. Born on July 31, 1909, and passing away on May 26, 1999, he made significant contributions to the conservative movement through his extensive writings on political, social, and cultural matters. more

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“Universal suffrage enfranchised everyone and, in doing so, reduced everyone's power to the smallest share possible. While this was acceptable when it was conceived as impotence over others, it becomes intolerable when we realize that our power over ourselves is included in the bargain. The individual in a regime of universal suffrage has an absolute minimum of influence.”

“Whether we are speaking of the philosophical history of the concept (universal suffrage) or the contemporary reality of its application, everyone stops somewhere. They all set a limit, even if that limit is the requirement of adulthood (a completely arbitrary classification if there ever was one). This unwillingness to apply the principle completely tells us something: First, it tells us that almost everyone knows that there ought to be some sort of qualification for electoral participation; and second, it tells us that no one knows exactly what this qualification ought to be. Because everyone agrees, even if unconsciously, on the first point—that qualifications there must be—then we can consider this an implicit acknowledgment that universal suffrage, even where it is preached, must be considered a purely sentimental notion which no one is actually willing to implement. We may then set about examining the second point, concerning the necessity and nature of the qualifications that ought to be set before the voting citizen.”