The fundamental political question is why do people obey a government. The answer is that they tend to enslave themselves, to let themselves be gover… - Étienne de La Boétie

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The fundamental political question is why do people obey a government. The answer is that they tend to enslave themselves, to let themselves be governed by tyrants. Freedom from servitude comes not from violent action, but from the refusal to serve. Tyrants fall when the people withdraw their support.

Disputed attribution. This quote's attribution is contested.