Democracy Quote by Edward De Bono
““Democracy is an excellent way of ensuring that nothing much gets done. There are always interests that might get trampled upon [and no elected politician would wish to make permanent enemies by trampling upon others' interests].””
About This Quote
Source Book: Six Thinking Hats, 1985
Democracy can stall progress because elected officials avoid making enemies, leading to inaction and protection of existing interests.
In simple terms: Democracy often leads to inaction to avoid conflict.
Seek mechanisms that balance consensus with decisive action.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legislative voting
- policy reform
- organizational governance
- community meetings
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can democratic systems encourage bold decisions?
- What safeguards prevent domination by powerful interests?
Consensus can be slow and may suppress necessary change; minority voices might be ignored.