Personally I prefer a liberal dictator to democratic government lacking liberalism.
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hayek expresses a preference for a liberal dictator over a democratic government that lacks liberal principles. He values the substance of liberalism over the form of democracy.
- In plain terms
- A dictator who protects liberty is better than a democracy that does not.
- What can you take from it?
- Liberal principles matter more than the method of government.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Which is more important: liberty or democracy?
- How do you judge a government?
Another view
This view downplays the importance of democratic accountability.
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