Part 3/5:
A central theme in the reflection is the danger inherent in trusting leadership without scrutiny. The speaker advocates for democracy—"for the people, by the people, of the people"—as the best safeguard against autocratic tendencies. They warn that surrendering critical judgment to a few individuals or a ruling cabal can lead to disastrous outcomes, including unnecessary wars. The concern is that elites or authoritarian figures might manipulate public sentiment or push military conflicts for their own ends, with ordinary civilians bearing the brunt of the consequences.