"If monarchy is corrupting - and it is - wait till you see what overt empire does to us"

Daniel Ellsberg's quote, "If monarchy is corrupting - and it is - wait till you see what overt empire does to us", challenges us to consider the nature of power and its results on societies and people. Ellsberg, understood for his function in launching the Pentagon Documents, which exposed federal government false information throughout the Vietnam War, had an eager understanding of the dangers of unchecked power.

In this quote, Ellsberg observes that monarchy, a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler or a select few, inherently results in corruption. This corruption can manifest in different methods, such as the abuse of power, nepotism, and a lack of responsibility. Monarchical systems, with their hierarchical power structures, typically focus on the interests of the couple of over the many, leading to systemic injustice and a disconnect between the rulers and the governed.

Ellsberg then welcomes us to think of the possible consequences of obvious empire. An empire, by definition, involves a nation extending its power and dominion over other territories or individuals, typically through force or browbeating. In an imperial system, the damaging impacts can be even more pronounced than in a monarchy. The pursuit of empire often leads to exploitation, the suppression of self-determination, and the subjugation of whole populations for the advantage of the royal power. The thirst for expansion and control can promote an environment where ethical considerations are eclipsed by the desire for supremacy and resource acquisition.

In addition, Ellsberg's caution recommends that the impacts of empire are not limited to those subjugated however also deeply impact the citizens of the royal country. It challenges moral and ethical worths, produces economic imbalances, and can cause societal complacency or complicity regarding oppressive practices performed in the empire's name.

In essence, Ellsberg cautions versus the corrupting influence of power in both monarchy and empire, urging us to be vigilant and crucial of systems where power is not just centralized but likewise strongly expanded at the expense of justice and humankind.