Sublime

Hans Morgenthau, the political theorist, has said that men don’t willingly accept the truth about human nature and especially about political nature. The aim of politics, Morgenthau says, is not to make people better or to alleviate their misery: it is to increase the power of one man or group of men against the power of another man or group of men

antagonistic forces,

He’d like to occupy a throne room surrounded by experts in flattery; while in a dungeon beneath, unknown to the world, would be a bunch of able slaves doing his work and producing the things that, to the public, would represent the brilliant accomplishment of his mind. He’s a fool, but worse he is a puking baby.

I mean that political action tests out the truth of what the collective is capable of achieving.

pessimistic description of presocial human nature and attempted through reliance on a transcendental notion of power to establish the legitimacy of the state.

one of the best ways to acquire and maintain power is to construct a positive image and reputation, in part by coopting others to present you as successful and effective.

Despotism therefore appears to me particularly to be dreaded in democratic ages.

tutelary