So little of what makes a democracy work is written down…
“So little of what makes a democracy work is written down. So much of it is just the things you don't do. There are a lot of things that a prime minister or a president can do and they don't do them because it never occurs to them to do them.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Democratic systems rely heavily on unwritten norms and inactions, not just formal rules.
In simple terms: Democracy works on unwritten norms.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and uphold informal democratic practices.
Themes
governance
democracy
norms
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
political
educational
When to use this quote
- legislative work
- public policy
- civic education
- leadership training
Key Concepts
Political theory
institutional behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What unwritten rule is most vital in your organization?
- How can we make implicit expectations explicit?
A Different Perspective
Unwritten norms can be ambiguous and hard to enforce.