In "political affairs, a method of government which is too rigid and opposes the popular will on every occasion will be resented as harsh and overbearing, but on the other hand, to acquiesce in all the demands of the people and share in their mistakes, is a dangerous, sometimes a catastrophic policy."
Politicians, and parties I daresay, fall prey to one or the other of these extremes. How should those governing avoid these two pitfalls? Plutarch goes on.
"The art of wise administration consists in making certain concessions and granting that which will please the people, while demanding in return an obedience and cooperation which will benefit the whole community--and men will cooperate readily and usefully in many ways provided they are not treated harshly and despotically all the time."
Plutarch, Phocian
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