Top 8 Quotes by Charles Edward Merriam

Rights are considered to have their source not in nature, but in law.

Rights are considered to have their source not in nature, but in law.

Rights, Law, Source

Charles Edward Merriam (1928). “A History of American Political Theories”, p.311, Transaction Publishers

In speaking of natural rights, therefore, it is essential to remember that these alleged rights have no political force whatsoever, unless recognized and enforced by the state.

Charles Edward Merriam

Rights, Political, Essentials

Chicago is unique. It is the only completely corrupt city in America.

Charles Edward Merriam

Unique, Cities, America

From the standpoint of modern political science the slave holders were right in declaring that liberty can be given only to those who have political capacity enough to use it, and they were also right in maintaining that two greatly unequal races cannot exist side by side on terms of perfect equality.

Charles Edward Merriam

Race, Two, Perfect

It not infrequently happens that persons without any other special qualification than the drama of their lives are precipitated into important political positions.

Charles Edward Merriam

Drama, Political, Special

Charles Edward Merriam (1945). “Systematic Politics”

[T]he influence of the German school is most obvious in relation to the contract theory of the origin of the state and the idea of the function of the state. The theory that the state originates in an agreement between men was assailed by the German thinkers and the historical, organic, evolutionary idea substituted for it.

Charles Edward Merriam

School, Men, Ideas

[R]ights do not belong to men simply as men, but because of the superior qualities, physical, intellectual, moral or political, which are characteristic of certain individuals or races.

Charles Edward Merriam

Men, Rights, Race

Charles Edward Merriam (1928). “A History of American Political Theories”, p.248, Transaction Publishers