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Democracy is the worst form of government. It is the most…

“Democracy is the worst form of government. It is the most inefficient, the most clumsy, the most unpractical… It reduces wisdom to impotence and secures the triumph of folly, ignorance, clap-trap, and demagogy… Yet democracy is the only form of social order that is admissible, because it is the…” quote by Robert Briffault
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“Democracy is the worst form of government. It is the most inefficient, the most clumsy, the most unpractical… It reduces wisdom to impotence and secures the triumph of folly, ignorance, clap-trap, and demagogy… Yet democracy is the only form of social order that is admissible, because it is the only one consistent with justice.”

Robert Briffault

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Democracy is inefficient and prone to manipulation, but it uniquely aligns with justice, making it the only acceptable political system.

In simple terms: Democracy is flawed yet just.

Key Takeaway

Justice justifies democracy despite its flaws.

Themes

political philosophy justice democracy inefficiency folly power

Mood

critical reflective optimistic

Type

philosophical political critical

When to use this quote

  • voting processes
  • policy debates
  • public discourse
  • civic education
  • political reform

Key Concepts

social order governance human nature

Practical Applications

  • designing fair institutions
  • educating citizens

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why is democracy considered the only just system?
  • How can its inefficiencies be mitigated?
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