Quote by Simone Weil
Every new development for the last three centuries has brought men closer to a state of affairs in which absolutely nothing would be recognized in the whole world as possessing a claim to obedience except the authority of the State. The majority of people in Europe obey nothing else.
Summary
This quote highlights the increasing centralization of power in the state over the past three centuries and the subsequent erosion of alternative sources of authority. It implies that people in Europe, for the most part, now only recognize the state as the ultimate authority to obey. It suggests that individual affiliations and diverse power structures have been marginalized, with the state wielding the ultimate control and influence over society. This reflects the shift towards a more statist society, where loyalty and obedience are primarily directed towards the governing bodies.
Topics
State
By Simone Weil