Democracy is, by the nature of it, a self-canceling business; and it gives in the long run a net result of zero.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Democracy is criticized as a system where competing interests cancel each other out, producing no clear progress.
- In plain terms
- Democracy often leads to nothing because everyone disagrees.
- What can you take from it?
- Democratic systems can stall due to conflicting interests.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is democracy inefficient by design?
- How can democracy improve?
Another view
Democracy often produces compromise rather than gridlock.
More from Thomas Carlyle
A witty statesman said, you might prove anything by figures.
Permalink to quote #4 So here hath been dawning Another blue Day: Think wilt thou let it Slip useless away.
Permalink to quote #6 The Public is an old woman. Let her maunder and mumble.
Permalink to quote #3
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 Decision by majorities is as much an expedient as lighting by gas.
William Ewart GladstoneWilliam Ewart Gladstone quote #2 'The process of electing members of Parliament to represent the people is at the heart of western democracy. Fiji courts are also part of an independent judici…
Ratu Epeli GanilauRatu Epeli Ganilau quote #2