Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few.[1]
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Shaw argues that democracy replaces rule by a corrupt elite with rule by an unskilled majority.
- In plain terms
- Democracy swaps out a few bad leaders for many unqualified ones.
- What can you take from it?
- Voting does not guarantee competent leadership.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does the majority always lack competence?
- Is elite rule inherently corrupt?
Another view
Democracy also allows for correction of corruption through peaceful means.
More from George Bernard Shaw
Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same.
Permalink to quote #111 Men are wise in proportion, not to their experience, but to their capacity for experience.
Permalink to quote #113 The golden rule is that there are no golden rules.
Permalink to quote #110
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