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About this quote

What does it mean?
Heinlein claims democracy fails because wisdom does not accumulate across a group and only the wisest individual matters. He dismisses the equality of different types of people as a false assumption.
In plain terms
Democracy cannot work because having many people does not make a group smarter than its single wisest member.
What can you take from it?
Group wisdom does not equal the sum of individual wisdom.

Where it applies

  • political theory debates
  • leadership selection
  • group decision making

Putting it to work

  • prioritize expertise
  • evaluate leaders individually
  • question majority rule

Questions to consider

  • Can a group ever be wiser than its best member?
  • How do you define wisdom in a political context?

Another view

The quote ignores how diverse perspectives can improve decisions beyond a single expert.

More from Robert A. Heinlein

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  3. There comes a time in the life of every human when he or she must decide to risk 'his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor' on an outcome dubious. Those who…

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