“Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people.”
- October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919
- American
- Politician, military officer
- Served as the 26th President of the United States, promoted progressive reforms and environmental conservation policies, and supported the construction of the Panama Canal
Quote
“Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people.”
Explanation
In this quote, Roosevelt is expressing his concern about the influence of hidden powers or unelected elites that manipulate and control the political process behind the scenes. He suggests that, while there may be a visible government with elected officials who appear to represent the people, there is often an “invisible government”—made up of powerful interests, such as corporations, lobbyists, or influential individuals—that operates without accountability or transparency. This invisible government, according to Roosevelt, is not bound by the will of the people and is not subject to the same rules or democratic checks and balances as elected officials. Roosevelt believed that these undue influences could undermine true democracy and prevent the government from acting in the best interests of the public.
Roosevelt was deeply concerned with monopolies and the concentration of corporate power, which he saw as a threat to democracy. His presidency focused on trust-busting—breaking up large corporations that had too much control over the economy and the political process. He believed that the people needed to be protected from the unchecked power of these invisible forces and that government should act to ensure a fair and just society for all.
This quote continues to resonate today, particularly in the context of political corruption, corporate influence, and campaign finance. It speaks to the ongoing concern that money and powerful interest groups can have a disproportionate influence on government policy and that this influence can often be hidden from the public eye. Roosevelt’s words remind us of the importance of transparency in governance and the need to safeguard democracy against the invisible forces that can erode public trust and accountability.
