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About this quote

What does it mean?
Democracy allows everyone to serve others rather than leading or being free.
In plain terms
In a democracy, you get to choose who you are enslaved by.
What can you take from it?
Political freedom can mask systemic servitude.

Where it applies

  • political discourse
  • societal critique
  • civic engagement

Putting it to work

  • analyze political systems
  • question freedom rhetoric

Questions to consider

  • Does voting equate to autonomy?

Another view

This view overlooks the protective rights democracies offer against tyranny.

More from Karl Kraus

  1. Democracy divides people into workers and loafers. It makes no provision for those who have no time to work.

    Permalink to quote #20
  2. Education is a crutch with which the foolish attack the wise to prove that they are not idiots.

    Permalink to quote #22
  3. Curses on the law! Most of my fellow citizens are the sorry consequences of uncommitted abortions.

    Permalink to quote #19

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