We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.

Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. - a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR [Russ.,= self-publishing house]

Samizdata slogan of the day

Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.
– H. G. Wells

Samizdata slogan of the day

Little else is requisite to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism but peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice: all the rest being brought about by the natural course of things.
– Adam Smith, 1755

Samizdata slogan of the day

Every government is a parliament of whores. The trouble is, in a democracy, the whores are us.
– P. J. O’Rourke

Samizdata slogan of the day

A Conservative Government is an organized hypocrisy.
– Benjamin Disraeli

Samizdata slogan of the day

There can be no liberty unless there is economic liberty.
– Margaret Thatcher

Samizdata slogan of the day

The tragedy of modern man is not that he knows less and less about the meaning of his own life, but that it bothers him less and less.
– Vaclav Havel

Straight face on insanity

Watching Britain’s Channel 4 news channel last night, I was treated to the amazing scene when its main newscaster, Jon Snow, announced that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had been reelected by more than 99 percent of the vote. No mention was made of the fact that the elections did not permit anyone else but Hussein to stand, thereby rendering the vote’s outcome a total farce. What was even more bizarre was how Snow – a man of the Left – announced the result with a totally straight face.

To be fair, the programme’s subsequent coverage of the poll highlighted its essentially coercive nature. Even so, Snow’s performance was telling.

Samizdata slogan of the day

Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack. One defends when his strength is inadequate; he attacks when it is abundant.
– Sun Tzu

Samizdata slogan of the day

The main thing that endears the United Nations to member governments, and so enables it to survive, is its proven capacity to fail, and to be seen to fail.
– Conor Cruise O’Brien

Samizdata slogan of the day

Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.
– Margaret Thatcher

Samizdata slogan of the day

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.
– Sir Winston Churchill

Samizdata slogan of the day

No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session.
– Judge Gideon J. Tucker