High hopes were once formed of democracy; but democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Democracy often results in the majority imposing its will on everyone, which can feel oppressive.
- In plain terms
- Democracy can become a tool for majority rule that harms minorities.
- What can you take from it?
- Guard against the tyranny of the majority.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How can democracy balance majority rule with minority protection?
- What mechanisms prevent abuse of power?
Another view
Democracy also enables protection of rights and collective decision‑making.
More from Oscar Wilde
A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at, for it leaves out the one country at which Humanity is always landing.
Permalink to quote #195 Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.
Permalink to quote #197 Disobedience, in the eyes of any one who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedien…
Permalink to quote #194
Related quotes
'Democracy is a means of achieving a higher level of individual and collective gratification, welfare, peace, stability and prosperity. It is not an end in its…
Kaliopate TavolaKaliopate Tavola quote #1 The authorities are those who are clever, strong and smart, but if the process gets out of control of the commanders, it becomes something negative.
Seyran OhanyanSeyran Ohanyan quote #2 Absolute discretion is a ruthless master. It is more destructive of freedom than any of man's other inventions.
William O. DouglasWilliam O. Douglas quote #4