Democracies Have Quotes - Page 2

• The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.

  James Madison

  Freedom, War, Mean

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• Every government is a parliament of whores. The trouble is, in a democracy, the whores are us.

  P. J. O'Rourke

  Government, Democracy, Internet

  Parliament of Whores (1991)

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• Democracy becomes a government of bullies tempered by editors.

  Ralph Waldo Emerson

  Freedom, Government, Editors

  Ralph Waldo Emerson (1971). “The Journals and Miscellaneous Notebooks of Ralph Waldo Emerson”, p.413, Harvard University Press

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• The job of a citizen is to keep his mouth open.

  Gunter Grass

  Jobs, Freedom, House

  66 Copy quote

• Democracy! Bah! When I hear that I reach for my feather boa!

  Allen Ginsberg

  Political, Democracy, Literature

  12 Copy quote

• Naturally, the common people don't want war ... but after all it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country.

  Hermann Goring

  Country, Peace, Military

  Interview in Göring's jail cell, April 18, 1946. "Nuremberg Diary". Book by Gustave Gilbert, 1947.

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• The most effective way to restrict democracy is to transfer decision-making from the public arena to unaccountable institutions: kings and princes, priestly castes, military juntas, party dictatorships, or modern corporations.

  Noam Chomsky

  Kings, Military, Party

  Noam Chomsky (2011). “Profit Over People: Neoliberalism and Global Order”, p.125, Seven Stories Press

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• Democracy is the process by which people choose the man who'll get the blame.

  Bertrand Russell

  Freedom, Humorous, Men

  33 Copy quote

• If Voting Changed Anything They'd Abolish It

  Ken Livingstone

  Political, Voting, Democracy

  Ken Livingstone (2011). “You Can't Say That: Memoirs”, p.49, Faber & Faber

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• Let the people think they govern and they will be governed.

  William Penn

  Thinking, People, Cynical

  Benjamin Franklin, William Penn (2012). “Franklin's Way to Wealth and Penn's Maxims”, p.51, Courier Corporation

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• Democracy needs support and the best support for democracy comes from other democracies. Democratic nations should come together in an association designed to help each other and promote what is a universal value - democracy.

  Benazir Bhutto

  Teamwork, Helping Others, Support

  Benazir Bhutto (1989). “Speeches and Statements: Apr. 2-Nov. 14, 1989”

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• Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.

  Abraham Lincoln

  Freedom, Fire, People

  401 Copy quote

• That government is best which governs least.

  Henry David Thoreau

  Freedom, Government, Libertarian Party

  Civil Disobedience (1849) See Ralph Waldo Emerson 29; O'Sullivan 1; Shipley 1

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• Nor is the people's judgment always true: the most may err as grossly as the few.

  John Dryden

  Freedom, People, Democracy

  John Dryden (1870). “The Poetical Works of John Dryden”, p.113

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• Take not from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Freedom, Libertarian Party, Government

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• The cure for the evils of democracy is more democracy.

  H. L. Mencken

  Freedom, Evil, Democracy

  H.L. Mencken (2012). “Mencken Chrestomathy”, p.154, Vintage

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• The 20th century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance. The growth of democracy; the growth of corporate power; and the growth of corporate propaganda against democracy.

  Alex Carey

  Wisdom, Australia Day, Political

  Alex Carey, Andrew Lohrey (1997). “Taking the Risk Out of Democracy: Corporate Propaganda Versus Freedom and Liberty”, p.18, University of Illinois Press

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• So long, and thanks for all the fish.

  Douglas Adams

  Long, Dolphins, Criminals

  Douglas Adams (2009). “So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish”, Pan Macmillan

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• The spirit of democracy cannot be established in the midst of terrorism, whether governmental or popular.

  Mahatma Gandhi

  Freedom, Democracy, Spirit

  Mahatma Gandhi (1959). “India of My Dreams”, p.27, Rajpal & Sons

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• Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy.

  Benito Mussolini

  Beautiful, Practice, Democracy

  to Edwin L James of the New York Times, 1928.

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• Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few.

  George Bernard Shaw

  Freedom, Government, Voting

  "The Collected Works of George Bernard Shaw".

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• The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.

  James Madison

  Education, Freedom, Inspirational Life

  James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.41, University of Virginia Press

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• In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility.

  Norman Cousins

  Freedom, Responsibility, Democracy

  18 Copy quote

• In this possibly terminal phase of human existence, democracy and freedom are more than just ideals to be valued - they may be essential to survival.

  Noam Chomsky

  Freedom, Hero, Survival

  17 Copy quote

• Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.

  P. J. O'Rourke

  Inspirational, Funny, Money

  P. J. O'Rourke (2007). “Parliament of Whores: A Lone Humorist Attempts to Explain the Entire U.S. Government”, p.24, Grove/Atlantic, Inc.

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