Nevertheless, our conception gives a criterion for determining how good a particular state is: namely, the degree of organization of the public which is attained, and the degree in which its officers are so constituted as to perform their function of caring for public interests.
This quote provides a criterion for evaluating the effectiveness of a state based on public organization and officer capability.
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More from John Dewey
For the older symbols of ideal life still engage thought and command loyalty.
The local communities without intent or forecast found their affairs conditioned by remote and invisible organizations.
There are even those who hold that the presumption is always that social loss will result from agents of the public doing anything which could be done by persons in their private capacity.
Mistakes pile up and consolidate themselves into laws and methods of administration which are more harmful than the consequences which they were originally intended to control.