It has been observed that a pure democracy if it were practicable would be the most perfect government. Experience has proved that no position is more false than this. The ancient democracies in which the people themselves deliberated never possessed one good feature of government. Their very character was tyranny; their figure deformity.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hamilton claims direct democracy often leads to tyranny and disorder based on history.
- In plain terms
- Pure democracy has failed in the past.
- What can you take from it?
- Direct rule by people can become tyrannical.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes government stable?
- Can people govern themselves?
Another view
Some democracies have functioned well without tyranny.
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