--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Campaign promises are - by long…" description: "\"Campaign promises are - by long democratic tradition - the least binding form of human commitment.\" — Antonin Scalia" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/antonin-scalia-2855_binding_campaign-promises-are-by-long-democratic_2975324.png" --- # Campaign promises are - by long democratic tradition - the… ![“Campaign promises are - by long democratic tradition - the least binding form of human commitment.” quote by Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/antonin-scalia-2855_binding_campaign-promises-are-by-long-democratic_2975324.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/antonin-scalia-2855_binding_campaign-promises-are-by-long-democratic_2975324.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/antonin-scalia-2855_binding_campaign-promises-are-by-long-democratic_2975324.png) > “Campaign promises are - by long democratic tradition - the least binding form of human commitment.” [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Political promises often lack enforceable power, reflecting tradition more than commitment. **In simple terms:** Promises are often symbolic, not binding. Key Takeaway Treat promises as guidance, not guarantees. Themes politics commitment tradition Mood skeptical reflective Type political legal When to use this quote - elections - legislative negotiations - public expectations Key Concepts legal theory social contract Questions to Reflect On - How do we hold leaders accountable for vague promises? - Can tradition justify weak commitments? A Different Perspective Promises can be ignored despite moral pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Binding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/binding/) [Campaign Promises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/campaign-promises-938035/) [Campaigns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/campaigns/) [Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democratic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic/) [Democratic Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic-tradition-1528704/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Human Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-commitment-4601889/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Promises Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promises-long-4601890/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) ## Related quotes > [Our government has made a whole lot of promises that, in the long run, it cannot possibly keep without huge tax increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walker/our-government-has-made-a-whole-lot-of-promises-that-in-the-long-run/) [David Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walker/) > [ Candidates run for election on campaign promises, but once they're elected they renege on those promises, which happened with President \[Barack\] Obama on Guantánamo,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/candidates-run-for-election-on-campaign-promises-but-once-they-re/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [We lack a political culture, a culture of compromise. We in Poland, as well as the Hungarians, have never learned this sort of thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-michnik/we-lack-a-political-culture-a-culture-of-compromise-we-in-poland-as/) [Adam Michnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-michnik/) > [Turkey has a long, proud democratic tradition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-ortagus/turkey-has-a-long-proud-democratic-tradition/) [Morgan Ortagus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-ortagus/) > [“The conception of secular state is derived from the liberal democratic tradition of west. No institution which is maintained wholly out of state funds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-r-ambedkar-2/the-conception-of-secular-state-is-derived-from-the-liberal/) [B.R. Ambedkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-r-ambedkar-2/) > [In Poland a man must be one thing: white or black, here or there, with us or against us -- clearly, openly, without hesitations.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryszard-kapuscinski/in-poland-a-man-must-be-one-thing-white-or-black-here-or-there-with/) [Ryszard Kapuscinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryszard-kapuscinski/) > [“Today it is the Western democratic tradition that attracts and empowers people of all continents, creeds, and colors. When the Chinese students cried and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr-2/today-it-is-the-western-democratic-tradition-that-attracts-and/) [Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr-2/) > [“The only people truly bound by campaign promises are the voters who believe them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/the-only-people-truly-bound-by-campaign-promises-are-the-voters-who/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [I will not back down from defending America. I got elected on defense of our country. I keep my campaign promises, and our citizens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-will-not-back-down-from-defending-america-i-got-elected-on-defense/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [ I want \[Donald\] Trump to send out a tweet saying that he's going to keep his campaign promises. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-want-donald-trump-to-send-out-a-tweet-saying-that-he-s-going-to/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Neural scientists at M.I.T. say they can plant false memories in your brain. No, that is not new. Politicians have been doing that for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/neural-scientists-at-m-i-t-say-they-can-plant-false-memories-in-your/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I want Trump to send out a tweet saying that he's going to keep his campaign promises. He's not going to cut Social Security,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/i-want-trump-to-send-out-a-tweet-saying-that-he-s-going-to-keep-his/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [ In each of \[my\] actions, I'm keeping my promises to the American people. These are campaign promises. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/in-each-of-my-actions-i-m-keeping-my-promises-to-the-american-people/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I keep my campaign promises, but I never promised to wear stockings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-t-grasso/i-keep-my-campaign-promises-but-i-never-promised-to-wear-stockings/) [Ella T. Grasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-t-grasso/) > [“the party that governed, restored an orderly nation. Success through merit alone. Economic rationalism. Prosperity through order.” He snickered. “Finally, a party that kept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-north/the-party-that-governed-restored-an-orderly-nation-success-through/) [Julian North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-north/) ## More by Antonin Scalia > [What is a moderate interpretation of the text? Halfway between what it really means and what you'd like it to mean?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/what-is-a-moderate-interpretation-of-the-text-halfway-between-what-it/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [If you think aficionados of a living Constitution want to bring you flexibility, think again. You think the death penalty is a good idea?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-you-think-aficionados-of-a-living-constitution-want-to-bring-you/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [More importantly, the Court forgets that ours is a government of laws and not of men. That means we are governed by the terms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/more-importantly-the-court-forgets-that-ours-is-a-government-of-laws/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Wringing your hands about states' rights, forget it. They're gone. Basically, the federal government can do whatever it wants. Who's going to protect the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/wringing-your-hands-about-states-rights-forget-it-they-re-gone/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [If you condemn someone who has committed a crime to be tortured, that would be unconstitutional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-you-condemn-someone-who-has-committed-a-crime-to-be-tortured-that/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Burning the flag is a form of expression. Speech doesn't just mean written words or oral words. It could be semaphore. And burning a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/burning-the-flag-is-a-form-of-expression-speech-doesn-t-just-mean/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Being a good person begins with being a wise person. Then, when you follow your conscience, will you be headed in the right direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/being-a-good-person-begins-with-being-a-wise-person-then-when-you/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [The court's job is to uphold the Constitution and you don't call that off in times of crisis. Would the framers have allowed this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/the-court-s-job-is-to-uphold-the-constitution-and-you-don-t-call-that/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [We have laws against torture. The Constitution says nothing whatever about torture. It speaks of punishment; 'cruel and unusual' punishments are forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/we-have-laws-against-torture-the-constitution-says-nothing-whatever/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-i-have-brought-any-message-today-it-is-this-have-the-courage-to/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Many think it not only inevitable but entirely proper that liberty give way to security in times of national crisis--that, at the extremes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/many-think-it-not-only-inevitable-but-entirely-proper-that-liberty/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [That's the argument of flexibility and it goes something like this: The Constitution is over 200 years old and societies change. It has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/that-s-the-argument-of-flexibility-and-it-goes-something-like-this/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Why in the world would you have it interpreted by nine lawyers?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/why-in-the-world-would-you-have-it-interpreted-by-nine-lawyers/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [ Who ever thought that intimacy and spirituality \[whatever that means\] were freedoms? And if intimacy is, one would think Freedom of Intimacy is abridged… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/who-ever-thought-that-intimacy-and-spirituality-whatever-that-means/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [I'm nervous about our civic culture. I'm not sure the Internet is largely the cause of it. It's certainly the cause of careless writing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/i-m-nervous-about-our-civic-culture-i-m-not-sure-the-internet-is/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) [Explore all 146 Antonin Scalia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) ## More Binding quotes > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [“My heart almost vaulted out of my chest. I was snuggled against Ryan’s shoulder. We were burrowed under the cloak and sleeping bag, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-dogra/my-heart-almost-vaulted-out-of-my-chest-i-was-snuggled-against-ryan-s/) [Sam Dogra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-dogra/) > [One thing that Chairman Mao did was to end the appalling foot binding of women. That alone justifies the Mao Tse-tung era.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-livingstone/one-thing-that-chairman-mao-did-was-to-end-the-appalling-foot-binding/) [Ken Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-livingstone/) > [The ultimate binding element in the medieval order was subordination to the divine will and its earthly representatives, notably the pope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-babbitt/the-ultimate-binding-element-in-the-medieval-order-was-subordination/) [Irving Babbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-babbitt/) > [Love is the binding force on every level of existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/love-is-the-binding-force-on-every-level-of-existence/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [When I stand in a library where is all the recorded wit of the world, but none of the recording, a mere accumulated, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/when-i-stand-in-a-library-where-is-all-the-recorded-wit-of-the-world/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [There is one single thread binding my way together...the way of the Master consists in doing one's best...that is all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-one-single-thread-binding-my-way-together-the-way-of-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The future belongs to social media. It is egalitarian and inclusive. Social media is not about any country, any language, any colour, any community…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-future-belongs-to-social-media-it-is-egalitarian-and-inclusive/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [To regard human beings as tools - as instruments - for the use of other human beings is not only unscientific but it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-korzybski/to-regard-human-beings-as-tools-as-instruments-for-the-use-of-other/) [Alfred Korzybski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-korzybski/) > [To a man who is uncorrupt and properly constituted, woman always remains something of a mystery and a romance. He never interprets her quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-parton/to-a-man-who-is-uncorrupt-and-properly-constituted-woman-always/) [James Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-parton/) > [And priests in black gowns were walking their rounds and binding with briars my joys and desires. (from 'The Garden of Love')](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/and-priests-in-black-gowns-were-walking-their-rounds-and-binding-with/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [There comes not seldom a crisis in the life of men, of nations, and of worlds, when the old forms seem ready to decay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-n-cardozo/there-comes-not-seldom-a-crisis-in-the-life-of-men-of-nations-and-of/) [Benjamin N. Cardozo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-n-cardozo/) > [Christ's commandment to hear the Church . . . is binding on all men, in every period, and every country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/christ-s-commandment-to-hear-the-church-is-binding-on-all-men-in/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) > [Pure love is the best medicine for the modern world. This is what is lacking in all societies. The root cause of all problems,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/pure-love-is-the-best-medicine-for-the-modern-world-this-is-what-is/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [Commitment . . . is a binding, but happy, response to duty. It is at once peaceful yet compelling, for it obligates one to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-paramore/commitment-is-a-binding-but-happy-response-to-duty-it-is-at-once/) [James M. Paramore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-paramore/) [Browse all 207 Binding quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/binding/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Campaign promises are - by long democratic tradition - the least binding form of human commitment.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Antonin Scalia" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/campaign-promises-are-by-long-democratic-tradition-the-least-binding/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Binding" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/campaign-promises-are-by-long-democratic-tradition-the-least-binding/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/antonin-scalia-2855_binding_campaign-promises-are-by-long-democratic_2975324.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/antonin-scalia-2855_binding_campaign-promises-are-by-long-democratic_2975324.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/antonin-scalia-2855_binding_campaign-promises-are-by-long-democratic_2975324.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Campaign promises are - by long democratic tradition - the least binding form of human commitment.” — Antonin Scalia", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Antonin Scalia", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Campaign promises are - by long...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/campaign-promises-are-by-long-democratic-tradition-the-least-binding/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/campaign-promises-are-by-long-democratic-tradition-the-least-binding/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```