We engage in politics because we don't know anything. This is clearly revealed in the way we go about it. Our parties exist from a fear of theory. The voter fears that one idea can always be contradicted by another. Therefore the parties reciprocally defend themselves against the few old ideas they have inherited. They don't live from what they promise, but from frustrating the promises of others. This is their silent community of interests.


Precision and Soul: Essays and Addresses (ed. University of Chicago Press, 1995) - ISBN: 9780226554099

Robert Musil Quotes

We engage in politics because we don't know anything. This is clearly revealed in the way we go about it. Our parties exist from a fear of theory....

We engage in politics because we don't know anything. This is clearly revealed in the way we go about it. Our parties exist from a fear of theory....

We engage in politics because we don't know anything. This is clearly revealed in the way we go about it. Our parties exist from a fear of theory....

We engage in politics because we don't know anything. This is clearly revealed in the way we go about it. Our parties exist from a fear of theory....