American government Quote by Calvin Coolidge
“If the people fail to vote, a government will be developed which is not their government... The whole system of American Government rests on the ballot box. Unless citizens perform their duties there, such a system of government is doomed to failure.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the Nation, 1924
Government legitimacy depends on citizen participation through voting; without it, the system collapses.
In simple terms: Voting is essential for a government to represent its people.
Key Takeaway
Vote to keep democracy alive.
Themes
civic duty
democracy
political participation
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
political
educational
When to use this quote
- elections
- civic education
- community organizing
Key Concepts
Social contract
legitimacy
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people skip voting?
- How can turnout be increased?
A Different Perspective
Voter apathy can persist despite appeals.
![“With almost no time to decide, [your loved ones] gave the entire country an incalculable gift. They saved the Capitol from attack. They saved God knows how many lives. They saved the terrorists from claiming the symbolic victory of smashing the center of American government. ... They allowed us to…” quote by William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6f7/william-j-clinton-302_american-government_with-almost-no-time-to-decide-your-loved_154373.jpg)
