Accomplished Quote by Archibald MacLeish
“Democracy is never a thing done. Democracy is always something that a nation must be doing. What is necessary now is one thing and one thing only, that democracy become again democracy in action, not democracy accomplished and piled up in goods and gold.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Democracy Forum, 1945
Democracy must be an ongoing practice, not a static achievement; it requires continual action and vigilance.
In simple terms: Democracy is ongoing action.
Key Takeaway
Engage actively in democratic processes.
Themes
democracy
civic duty
process
Mood
inspirational
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting
- community organizing
- policy advocacy
- public debate
Key Concepts
political participation
social responsibility
government accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens keep democracy alive daily?
- What actions best sustain democratic values?
A Different Perspective
Complacency can erode democratic health.
![“[U]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle the apparatus of oppression.” quote by Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d7b/shulamith-firestone-12980_accomplished_u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together_5485.jpg)
