Aristocracy Quote by Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“Democracy entails a correlation between the public interest as expressed by a majority of the population and the governmental policies that affect them. The term encompasses various manifestations, including direct, participatory and representative democracy, but Governments must be responsive to people and not to special interests such as the military-industrial complex, financial bankers and transnational corporations. Democracy is inclusive and does not privilege an anthropological aristocracy.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rights of Nations: Nations and Nationalism in a Global Era, 1997
Democracy requires that government actions reflect the majority’s public interest, not elite special interests.
In simple terms: Democracy = majority interest, not elite control.
Key Takeaway
Demand accountability to the public.
Themes
governance
participation
equity
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- elections
- public consultations
- civil society activism
Key Concepts
pluralism
power dynamics
policy responsiveness
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms ensure true public representation?
- How to limit elite influence?
A Different Perspective
Special interests can dominate despite reforms.
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