Democracy | Some revealing quotes

"When you give politicians the power to do what you think is right you're automatically giving politicians the power to do what you think is wrong." Harry Browne

"Democracy is not freedom. Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to eat for lunch. Freedom comes from the recognition of certain rights which may not be taken, not even by a 99% vote." Marvin Simkin

"I think then that the species of oppression by which democratic nations are menaced is unlike anything which ever before existed in the world: our contemporaries will find no prototype of it in their memories. I am trying myself to choose an expression which will accurately convey the whole of the idea I have formed of it, but in vain; the old words “despotism” and “tyranny” are inappropriate: the thing itself is new; and since I cannot name it, I must attempt to define it." Alexis de Tocqueville

"Nothing can make a demagogue more popular today than when he repeatedly calls for sharp taxes against the rich [...] Wealth levies and high income taxes on the larger incomes are quite extraordinarily popular with the masses who do not have to pay them." Ludwig von Mises

"Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason." Mark Twain

"It is a great consolation in elections that only one of several candidates can be elected!" Mark Twain

"If voting made any difference they wouldn't let us do it" Mark Twain

"But that is precisely why I am also deeply convinced that it is right that we have a representative democracy and not a plebiscitary democracy, and that representative democracy gives us the opportunity for certain periods of time to make decisions, then within these periods of time also to campaign for these decisions and thus to change opinions. Looking back at the history of the Federal Republic, we can say that all the major decisions did not have a demoscopic majority when they were made. The introduction of the social market economy, rearmament, the treaties with the East, the NATO dual decision, the adherence to unity, the introduction of the euro and also the increasing assumption of responsibility by the Bundeswehr in the world - almost all of these decisions were made against the majority of Germans. Only in retrospect did the attitude of the Germans change in many cases. I also think it's reasonable for the population to look at the outcome of a measure first and then form a judgment about it. I think that is an expression of the primacy of politics. And that should also be adhered to." Dr. Angela Merkel

"The end of education is to form a being fit to govern itself, not a being fit to be governed by others" Herbert Spencer

"ELECTOR, n. One who enjoys the sacred privilege of voting for the man of another man's choice." Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce

"In the portrayal of political processes, I often see a certain political one-sidedness. For example, when it comes to the topics of ecology or Europeanization, critics are always put in the right-wing corner. [....] The broadcasters adopt government lines in an undifferentiated manner. ARD and ZDF are increasingly acting as an acclamation forum for politics." Professor Christoph Degenhart

"Liberty, Not the Daughter but the Mother of Order." Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

"A democratic civilization will save itself only if it makes the language of the image into a stimulus for critical reflection - not an invitation for hypnosis." Umberto Eco

"All the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre — the man who can most adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum. The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." H. L. Mencken