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Quote by Madeline C.C. Harper

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The Return of Light

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Madeline C.C. Harper

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“When people have rejected aristocracy, no longer believe that leadership is inherited at birth, no longer assume that the ruling class is endorsed by God, the argument about who gets to rule--who is the elite--is never over. For a long time, some people in Europe and North America settled on the idea that various forms of democratic, meritocratic, and economic competition are the fairest alternative to inherited or ordained power. But even in countries that were never occupied by the Red Army and never ruled by Latin American populists, democracy and free markets can produce unsatisfying outcomes, especially when badly regulated, or when nobody trusts the regulators, or when people are entering the contest from very different starting points. The losers of these competitions were always, sooner or later, going to challenge the value of the competition itself.”

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Book:Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism
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“The major problem - one of the major problems, for there are several - on of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary; anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job. To summarize the summary of the summary: people are a problem. And so this is the situation we find: a succession of Galactic Presidents who so much enjoy the fun and palaver of being in power that they very rarely notice that they're not. And somewhere in the shadows behind them - who? Who can possibly rule if no one who wants to do it can be allowed to?”

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Book:The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
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“Madoc makes a snorting sound, then turns to me. 'I am sure that Wren here wouldn't mind taking Lady Nore's castle and lands for herself.' I shake my head at the absurdity of the statement. He raises his brows. 'No? Still sitting at the table and waiting for permission to start eating?' That's an uncomfortably accurate way of describing how I've lived my life.”

UncomfortableHolly BlackAccurateRulingThe Stolen HeirSurenWrenTakingMadocWaiting For Permission
Book:The Stolen Heir
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“As a queen, you'll have to choose what our city stands for. What's worth fighting for and what isn't, not based on what's right or wrong, but based on what allows your people to live unconcerned lives. And despite the fact that every intention you have is pure, they'll hate you. They can't help it. There is no decision you will make, ever, that everyone will support. You either don't do enough, or you do it the wrong way, or you're too soft, or you're too vicious. ... People need something to be upset about for their happiness to be real, " he explained, voice emotionless. "We only notice the day because there is night. We only truly quenched by water after thirst sets in. They need the negative, even if they manufacture it. It's the only way they understand the value of the positive. As their queen you're an easy target. They'll look for any crack, any blemish and scream about it. But the fact that they're screaming about you and not parishing in wars or starving in the mines will show you you've done your job well. And when you die, they'll visit your statue in the Heroes Hall and wail over what a wonderful leader you were, though you won't be around to hear it.”

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Book:Ruling Sikthand
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