The best defence [for a democracy, for the public good] is…
![“The best defence [for a democracy, for the public good] is aggressiveness, the aggressiveness of the involved citizen. We need to reassert that slow, time-consuming, inefficient, boring process that requires our involvement; it is called 'being a citizen.' The public good is not something that you…” quote by John Ralston Saul](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/612/john-ralston-saul-3128_aggressiveness_the-best-defence-for-a-democracy-for-the_1365828.jpg)
“The best defence [for a democracy, for the public good] is aggressiveness, the aggressiveness of the involved citizen. We need to reassert that slow, time-consuming, inefficient, boring process that requires our involvement; it is called 'being a citizen.' The public good is not something that you can see. It is not static. It is a process. It is the process by which democratic civilizations build themselves.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Active, engaged citizenship is essential for democracy; participation may be slow and tedious but builds the public good.
In simple terms: Citizens must stay involved despite inconvenience.
Key Takeaway
Participate actively in civic life.
Themes
democracy
citizenship
public good
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- voting
- community meetings
- public advocacy
Key Concepts
civic engagement
social responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies make civic duties more appealing?
- What incentives encourage consistent participation?
A Different Perspective
Citizen fatigue can hinder sustained involvement.