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About this quote

What does it mean?
Defines democracy as a shared burden of power and responsibility for all citizens.
In plain terms
In democracy, everyone rules and is ruled, which is a big job not always visible.
What can you take from it?
Democracy requires active participation from every citizen.

Where it applies

  • voting
  • civic service
  • democratic debates

Putting it to work

  • vote regularly
  • engage in local governance
  • study policies

Questions to consider

  • How do you fulfill your role in democracy?
  • Is leadership visible or invisible?

Another view

Some citizens prefer delegating responsibility to representatives.

More from Adlai Stevenson

  1. In America any boy may become President, and I suppose it's just one of the risks he takes.

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  2. Nature is indifferent to the survival of the human species, including Americans.

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  3. We can chart our future clearly and wisely only when we know the path which has led to the present.

    Permalink to quote #20

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