--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is almost universally felt that when…" description: "\"It is almost universally felt that when we call a country democratic we are praising it; consequently, the defenders of every kind of regime claim that..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/george-orwell-57_country_it-is-almost-universally-felt-that-when_1698317.jpg" --- # It is almost universally felt that when we call a country… ![“It is almost universally felt that when we call a country democratic we are praising it; consequently, the defenders of every kind of regime claim that it is a democracy, and fear that they might have to stop using the word if it were tied down to any one meaning.” quote by George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/george-orwell-57_country_it-is-almost-universally-felt-that-when_1698317.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/george-orwell-57_country_it-is-almost-universally-felt-that-when_1698317.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/george-orwell-57_country_it-is-almost-universally-felt-that-when_1698317.jpg) > “It is almost universally felt that when we call a country democratic we are praising it; consequently, the defenders of every kind of regime claim that it is a democracy, and fear that they might have to stop using the word if it were tied down to any one meaning.” [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Calling a regime democratic is often a rhetorical move; definitions become political tools. **In simple terms:** Labels can be misleading. Key Takeaway Question political language. Themes politics democracy language Mood critical skeptical Type political analytical When to use this quote - political debate - media analysis - policy making Key Concepts critical theory semantics Questions to Reflect On - What defines a true democracy? - How do you spot rhetorical labeling? A Different Perspective Overuse of the term can dilute its meaning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Claim Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claim-democracy-1125803/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Country Democratic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country-democratic-251963/) [Defenders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defenders/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-fear-806697/) [Democratic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic/) [Democratic Praising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic-praising-1125804/) [Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Tied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tied/) ## Related quotes > [“In the case of a word like democracy, not only is there no agreed definition, but the attempt to make one is resisted from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-hume/in-the-case-of-a-word-like-democracy-not-only-is-there-no-agreed/) [Mick Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-hume/) > [“The word Fascism has now no meaning except in so far as it signifies "something not desirable"...In the case of a word like democracy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/the-word-fascism-has-now-no-meaning-except-in-so-far-as-it-signifies/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [“A democracy based on fear is not a democracy. 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