What Randolph Bourne thinks about government

@randolph-bourne · 21 positions · On ppll ↗

American essayist (1886 to 1918); author of War and the Intellectuals.

Randolph Bourne did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

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Only Randolph Bourne on government. See everyone on government

4 dated positions, c. 1917–1918, in their own words. Our reading of what Randolph Bourne has said — not written or endorsed by them.

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1. c. 1917–1918

   Our readingIf Germans cannot reorganize their own politics, no outside power can do it for them

   politics

   Their wordsIf the German people cannot effect their own political reorganization, nobody can do it for them. They would continue to prefer the native Hohenzollerns to the most liberal government imposed by their conquering enemies.

   ↗Untimely Papers (essays of 1917-1918, published 1919)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book

3. c. 1917–1918

   Our readingModern war needs no patriotism, only the people's toleration of the fighting

   Their wordsOur war is teaching us that patriotism is really a superfluous quality in war. The government of a modern organized plutocracy does not have to ask whether the people want to fight or understand what they are fighting for, but only whether they will tolerate fighting.

   ↗Untimely Papers (essays of 1917-1918, published 1919)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book

5. c. 1917–1918

   Our readingIn war every government, democratic or autocratic, crushes whatever deflects energy from victory

   energy

   Their wordsWar determines its own end—victory, and government crushes out automatically all forces that deflect, or threaten to deflect, energy from the path of organization to that end. All governments will act in this way, the most democratic as well as the most autocratic.

   ↗Untimely Papers (essays of 1917-1918, published 1919)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book

7. c. 1917–1918

   Our readingWar strengthens the State by forcing uniformity and coercing dissenting minorities

   Their wordsWar is the health of the State. It automatically sets in motion throughout society those irresistible forces for uniformity, for passionate coöperation with the Government in coercing into obedience the minority groups and individuals which lack the larger herd sense.

   ↗Untimely Papers (essays of 1917-1918, published 1919)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book