It is not hard for a totalitarian democracy to keep people ignorant. Once you relinquish your freedom for the sake of “understood necessity”, for general will (i.e., "public good"), for political discipline, for conformity with the government, for the greatness of historical accomplishments, or for any of the substitutes that are so convincingly offered, you cede your claim to the truth. Slowly, drop by drop, your life begins to ooze away just as surely as if you had slashed your wrists. You have voluntarily condemned yourself to helplessness.
~ Heda Margolius Kovàly (paraphrased)