We must either breed political capacity or be ruined by Democracy, which was forced on us by the failure of the older alternatives. Yet if Despotism failed only for want of a capable benevolent despot, what chance has Democracy, which requires a whole population of capable voters.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Shaw stresses democracy needs capable voters or collapses; a demand for civic excellence.
- In plain terms
- Democracy needs smart voters or it fails.
- What can you take from it?
- Invest in voter education.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a voter capable?
- Is democracy doomed without perfect voters?
Another view
It ignores structural flaws beyond voters.
More from George Bernard Shaw
Progress can do nothing but make the most of us all as we are:
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