2,003 Quotes About Democracy

Democratic ideas cannot exist without the public spheres that make them possible.

We live in a time that demands a discourse of both critique and possibility, one that recognizes that without an informed citizenry, collective struggle, and viable social movements, democracy will slip out of our reach and we will arrive at a new stage of history marked by the birth of an authoritarianism that not only disdains all vestiges of democracy but is more than willing to relegate it to a distant memory.

Democracy is good, but it is not good for an uneducated dogmatic society. Often, that society does not know how to choose wisely.

In undemocratic societies, democratic thought fashion is, for prominent figures, a great way to make an "honest penny".

Activism begins with you, Democracy begins with you, get out there, get active! Tag, you're it

If you want civilization, be the epitome of civilization - if you want democracy, be the epitome of democracy - if you want humanity, be the epitome of humanity. Go on saying - "I am civilization, I am democracy, I am humanity".

Governance to me is action not an organization. It is something people have to just do. It is only after governance by the people is established that politicians can be lobbied into supporting it until it makes them obsolete.

Direct democracy is lazy anarchy, for people who don't want to be governed but are too lazy to govern themselves. They want participation served to them.

Imagine if one should drag an innocent passer-by from the street to the operating room of a nearby hospital and force him at gunpoint to perform a delicate operation. The man would burst into tears. However, if one were to ask him to sound off on problems such as nuclear experiments, Vietnam, the borders of Israel, support for Indonesia, aid to Latin America, or recognition of Red China, in most cases he would start spouting opinions.