Democracy is no easy form of government. Few nations have been able to sustain it. For it requires that we take the chances of freedom; that the liberating play of reason be brought to bear on events filled with passion;that dissent be allowed to make its appeal for acceptance; that men chance error in their search for the truth.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Democracy is difficult to sustain because it requires people to take risks with freedom, reason, dissent, and truth.
- In plain terms
- Democracy is hard to keep because people must accept risks and disagreement.
- What can you take from it?
- Democracy requires tolerance for dissent and the risk of freedom.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What risks does freedom require?
- Why is dissent necessary?
Another view
It assumes that allowing dissent leads to truth rather than chaos.
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