--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The power should be in individual…" description: "\"The power should be in individual democracies in individual communities. It shouldn't be an oligarchy or some small group of elite. Power should be wit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdb/finn-jones-20986_democracies_the-power-should-be-in-individual-democr_724531.jpg" --- # The power should be in individual democracies in… ![“The power should be in individual democracies in individual communities. It shouldn't be an oligarchy or some small group of elite. Power should be with the people and not with some politician or some heir to the throne or some madman.” quote by Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdb/finn-jones-20986_democracies_the-power-should-be-in-individual-democr_724531.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdb/finn-jones-20986_democracies_the-power-should-be-in-individual-democr_724531.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdb/finn-jones-20986_democracies_the-power-should-be-in-individual-democr_724531.jpg) > “The power should be in individual democracies in individual communities. It shouldn't be an oligarchy or some small group of elite. Power should be with the people and not with some politician or some heir to the throne or some madman.” [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power belongs to the people in local, democratic settings, not to a privileged few or hereditary rulers. **In simple terms:** People should control power locally, not elites. Key Takeaway Support grassroots democracy. Themes democracy power community politics participation Mood concerned hopeful Type political call‑to‑action When to use this quote - local elections - community meetings - grassroots activism - citizen juries - public budgeting Key Concepts political theory localism anti‑elitism Questions to Reflect On - How can communities ensure truly equal participation? - What safeguards stop new elites from forming? A Different Perspective Elites may still influence decisions through money or media. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracies/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Elite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elite/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politician/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Small Group](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-group/) [Throne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/throne/) ## Related quotes > [“From this view of the subject it may be concluded that a pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/from-this-view-of-the-subject-it-may-be-concluded-that-a-pure/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [“on Democracies: "there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party or an obnoxious individual. Hence it is that such democracies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/on-democracies-there-is-nothing-to-check-the-inducements-to-sacrifice/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [A pure Democracy, by which I mean a Society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the Government in person,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/a-pure-democracy-by-which-i-mean-a-society-consisting-of-a-small/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [All democracies are based on the proposition that power is very dangerous and that it is extremely important not to let any one person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/all-democracies-are-based-on-the-proposition-that-power-is-very/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Democracies don't go to war against each other, and by and large they don't sponsor terrorism. They're more likely to respect the environment and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/democracies-don-t-go-to-war-against-each-other-and-by-and-large-they/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [What other, newer democracies find relatively easy - conducting an election, the counting of votes, the peaceful transition of power - seems to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barkha-dutt/what-other-newer-democracies-find-relatively-easy-conducting-an/) [Barkha Dutt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barkha-dutt/) > [Israel is one of the greatest and most modern democracies on the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matteo-salvini/israel-is-one-of-the-greatest-and-most-modern-democracies-on-the/) [Matteo Salvini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matteo-salvini/) > [It is a law of governance that democracies have to spend themselves dizzy. Citizens of democracies can, after all, tell their government to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/it-is-a-law-of-governance-that-democracies-have-to-spend-themselves/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Developing and newer democracies are much more susceptible to the tactics of populists and demagogues - they often do not have strong institutions, free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/developing-and-newer-democracies-are-much-more-susceptible-to-the/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [Our Declaration of Independence declares that democracies derive their power from the 'consent of the governed.' But this democracy will fail if only some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/our-declaration-of-independence-declares-that-democracies-derive/) [Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/) > [All democracies turn into dictatorships - but not by coup. The people give their democracy to a dictator, whether it's Julius Caesar or Napoleon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/all-democracies-turn-into-dictatorships-but-not-by-coup-the-people/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demosthenes/there-is-one-safeguard-known-generally-to-the-wise-which-is-an/) [Demosthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demosthenes/) > [The idea that democracies could be vulnerable to demagogues is not a new notion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-kristol/the-idea-that-democracies-could-be-vulnerable-to-demagogues-is-not-a/) [Bill Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-kristol/) > [In view of China's growing military strength and intentions, the best way to safeguard Asia's permanent peace and prosperity is to have all Asian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-costa/in-view-of-china-s-growing-military-strength-and-intentions-the-best/) [Jim Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-costa/) > [“the democracies that arose after the First World War (and the Second) often collapsed when a single party seized power in some combination of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-snyder/the-democracies-that-arose-after-the-first-world-war-and-the-second/) [Timothy Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-snyder/) ## More by Finn Jones > [I'm a big fan of 'Akira,' and I think comics are a great place to tell intelligent, fantastical stories. You can say stuff that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/i-m-a-big-fan-of-akira-and-i-think-comics-are-a-great-place-to-tell/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [I was never a troublemaker, but I also was never a nerdy kid. I was never a cool kid or a sports kid. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/i-was-never-a-troublemaker-but-i-also-was-never-a-nerdy-kid-i-was/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [Women are the strong people in this world, not men. I think TV is finally catching up with that reality, and thank God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/women-are-the-strong-people-in-this-world-not-men-i-think-tv-is/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [At first, I didn't know what an actor was. I thought it was an acrobat. I saw acrobats at the circus, and I thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/at-first-i-didn-t-know-what-an-actor-was-i-thought-it-was-an-acrobat/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [A lot of the vibe in London is being sucked dry because of the economic situation. It's very expensive, and it gives you nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/a-lot-of-the-vibe-in-london-is-being-sucked-dry-because-of-the/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [When I was in drama school, I really got into a dark place. I went to a therapist - it was really helpful to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/when-i-was-in-drama-school-i-really-got-into-a-dark-place-i-went-to-a/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [I know feeling pressure gets you nowhere creatively. You've just got to understand the character, understand the story, and just play it to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/i-know-feeling-pressure-gets-you-nowhere-creatively-you-ve-just-got/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [I'm not a critic. I'm an actor. I see the role I get given on the page. I try to bring it to life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/i-m-not-a-critic-i-m-an-actor-i-see-the-role-i-get-given-on-the-page/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [I think being on a show like Game of Thrones for six years, I've gone through that whole hype thing, and I know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/i-think-being-on-a-show-like-game-of-thrones-for-six-years-i-ve-gone/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [Every day of my life, I make an effort. Like, everything's an effort - a good effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/every-day-of-my-life-i-make-an-effort-like-everything-s-an-effort-a/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > ['Thrones' would be the perfect platform to send a progressive message because right now, our politicians aren't telling us any truths. It's hard to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/thrones-would-be-the-perfect-platform-to-send-a-progressive-message/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [I will say that Marvel is 100 times more secretive than 'Game of Thrones.' Like, they're not even on the same playing field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/i-will-say-that-marvel-is-100-times-more-secretive-than-game-of/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [Pretty much everyone on my iPod, I'd like to be friends with. But I'd say that the main two that I'd love to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/pretty-much-everyone-on-my-ipod-i-d-like-to-be-friends-with-but-i-d/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [I find the comic book audience a lot more intense than the fantasy one, definitely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/i-find-the-comic-book-audience-a-lot-more-intense-than-the-fantasy/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) > [For me as an actor, I find it's most creative when I'm bringing myself into the role rather than putting the role on. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-jones/for-me-as-an-actor-i-find-it-s-most-creative-when-i-m-bringing-myself/) [Finn Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) [Explore all 30 Finn Jones quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-jones/) ## More Democracies quotes > [“the democracies that arose after the First World War (and the Second) often collapsed when a single party seized power in some combination of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-snyder/the-democracies-that-arose-after-the-first-world-war-and-the-second/) [Timothy Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-snyder/) > [In view of China's growing military strength and intentions, the best way to safeguard Asia's permanent peace and prosperity is to have all Asian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-costa/in-view-of-china-s-growing-military-strength-and-intentions-the-best/) [Jim Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-costa/) > [The idea that democracies could be vulnerable to demagogues is not a new notion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-kristol/the-idea-that-democracies-could-be-vulnerable-to-demagogues-is-not-a/) [Bill Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-kristol/) > [There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demosthenes/there-is-one-safeguard-known-generally-to-the-wise-which-is-an/) [Demosthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demosthenes/) > [All democracies turn into dictatorships - but not by coup. The people give their democracy to a dictator, whether it's Julius Caesar or Napoleon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/all-democracies-turn-into-dictatorships-but-not-by-coup-the-people/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [Our Declaration of Independence declares that democracies derive their power from the 'consent of the governed.' But this democracy will fail if only some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/our-declaration-of-independence-declares-that-democracies-derive/) [Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/) > [Developing and newer democracies are much more susceptible to the tactics of populists and demagogues - they often do not have strong institutions, free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/developing-and-newer-democracies-are-much-more-susceptible-to-the/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [It is a law of governance that democracies have to spend themselves dizzy. Citizens of democracies can, after all, tell their government to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/it-is-a-law-of-governance-that-democracies-have-to-spend-themselves/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Israel is one of the greatest and most modern democracies on the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matteo-salvini/israel-is-one-of-the-greatest-and-most-modern-democracies-on-the/) [Matteo Salvini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matteo-salvini/) > [What other, newer democracies find relatively easy - conducting an election, the counting of votes, the peaceful transition of power - seems to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barkha-dutt/what-other-newer-democracies-find-relatively-easy-conducting-an/) [Barkha Dutt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barkha-dutt/) > [Democracies don't go to war against each other, and by and large they don't sponsor terrorism. They're more likely to respect the environment and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/democracies-don-t-go-to-war-against-each-other-and-by-and-large-they/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [I think we need to be a superpower of human rights, of support for true grassroots democracy, not corporatist economic development, which suits our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/i-think-we-need-to-be-a-superpower-of-human-rights-of-support-for/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [The all but unanimous judgment seems to be that we, the democracies, are just as responsible for the rise of the dictators as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-emerson-fosdick/the-all-but-unanimous-judgment-seems-to-be-that-we-the-democracies/) [Harry Emerson Fosdick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-emerson-fosdick/) > [“Whatever modern democracies may tell themselves about their commitment to free speech and to diversity of opinion, the values of a given society will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/whatever-modern-democracies-may-tell-themselves-about-their/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [“Western democracies did not create the virtue of citizenship; on the contrary, they grew from it. Nothing is more evident in The Federalist than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/western-democracies-did-not-create-the-virtue-of-citizenship-on-the/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) [Browse all 231 Democracies quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracies/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The power should be in individual democracies in individual communities. It shouldn't be an oligarchy or some small group of elite. 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