Eisenhower's Farewell Address: Power Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Sentence)

Quote #4

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. (IV. 14-15)

Here's that classic quote again. It's difficult to understand how exactly "unwarranted influence" could A) be detected and B) be stopped once detected. The legislative and budgetary processes were complicated enough in the 50s, but now we have to imagine there are even more layers of bureaucratic malarkey and departments within departments within departments…

Quote #5

The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded. 

Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite. 

It is the task of statesmanship to mold, to balance, and to integrate these and other forces, new and old, within the principles of our democratic system-ever aiming toward the supreme goals of our free society. (IV. 26-28)

This is classic Ike, in one sentence describing the proper use of executive power, as he saw it, anyway. Maybe his understanding of statesmanship actually came from his time in the military, where he was in charge of organizing outrageously complex lines of production, communication, and transportation, strategy and tactics, and diplomatic/public relations. Instead of micromanaging everything, he had to take, in general, a more subtle approach of "molding," "balancing," and "integrating" all the committees, organizations, and commands.