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[Voltaire] theoretically prefers a republic, but he knows its flaws: it permits factions which, if they do not bring on civil war, at least destroy national unity; it is suited only to small states protected by geographic situation, and as yet unspoiled and untorn with wealth; in general "men are rarely worthy to govern themselves." Republics are transient at best; they are the first form of society, arising from the union of families; the American Indians lived in tribal republics, and Africa is full of such democracies. but differentiation of economic status puts an end to these egalitarian governments; and differentiation is the inevitable accompaniment of development.
[Voltaire] theoretically prefers a republic, but he knows its flaws: it permits factions which, if they do not bring on civil war, at least destroy national unity; it is suited only to small states protected by geographic situation, and as yet unspoiled and untorn with wealth; in general "men are rarely worthy to govern themselves." Republics are transient at best; they are the first form of society, arising from the union of families; the American Indians lived in tribal republics, and Africa is full of such democracies. but differentiation of economic status puts an end to these egalitarian governments; and differentiation is the inevitable accompaniment of development.
Approximate author period: c. 1933 AD · modern
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- Author or tradition
- Will Durant
Attribution: attributed - Country attributed
- Not established
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- Approximate author period: c. 1933 AD · modern
Approximate author-period anchor from life dates 1885 to 1981; Wikidata Q333911, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q333911 (accessed 2026-10-08). Not a quotation composition date.
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Supplied reference C; CSV row 84972; supplied attribution, independently unverified
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