--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a democracy, the public has a right to…" description: "\"In a democracy, the public has a right to know not only what the government decides, but why and by what process.\" — Gerald R. Ford" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab0/gerald-r-ford-2628_democracy_in-a-democracy-the-public-has-a-right-to_193836.jpg" --- # In a democracy, the public has a right to know not only… ![“In a democracy, the public has a right to know not only what the government decides, but why and by what process.” quote by Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab0/gerald-r-ford-2628_democracy_in-a-democracy-the-public-has-a-right-to_193836.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab0/gerald-r-ford-2628_democracy_in-a-democracy-the-public-has-a-right-to_193836.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab0/gerald-r-ford-2628_democracy_in-a-democracy-the-public-has-a-right-to_193836.jpg) > “In a democracy, the public has a right to know not only what the government decides, but why and by what process.” [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy requires not just knowing decisions but also understanding the reasons and processes behind them. **In simple terms:** Democracy needs clear reasons for decisions. Key Takeaway Demand transparency in governance. Themes democracy transparency accountability process Mood inspirational thoughtful Type civic educational When to use this quote - policy making - civic education - media reporting Key Concepts public trust government information flow Questions to Reflect On - What processes are most opaque to you? - How can citizens hold officials accountable? A Different Perspective Implementation can be hindered by bureaucracy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) ## Related quotes > [Every person, whether in wartime or not, should keep a pistol and rifle in his house at all times. 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Or are we a country that is resigned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/are-we-still-a-country-that-takes-risks-that-innovates-that-believes/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [The only force at the disposal of democracy is that of public opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/the-only-force-at-the-disposal-of-democracy-is-that-of-public-opinion/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Nationalisation...does not in itself engender greater equality, more jobs in the regions, higher investment or industrial democracy. The public knows this perfectly well, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-crosland/nationalisation-does-not-in-itself-engender-greater-equality-more/) [Anthony Crosland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-crosland/) > [ The best defence \[for a democracy, for the public good\] is aggressiveness, the aggressiveness of the involved citizen. We need to reassert that slow,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ralston-saul/the-best-defence-for-a-democracy-for-the-public-good-is/) [John Ralston Saul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ralston-saul/) > [Did you, too, O friend, suppose democracy was only for elections, for politics, and for a party name? I say democracy is only of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/did-you-too-o-friend-suppose-democracy-was-only-for-elections-for/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [In a democracy, the public should be asked how much security and how much privacy they want for themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mosley/in-a-democracy-the-public-should-be-asked-how-much-security-and-how/) [Max Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mosley/) > [Because America is a democracy, public support for presidential foreign-policy decisions is essential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/because-america-is-a-democracy-public-support-for-presidential/) [Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [When the public's right to know is threatened, all other public rights are threatened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dodd/when-the-public-s-right-to-know-is-threatened-all-other-public-rights/) [Christopher Dodd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dodd/) > [I think it's inevitable that some of the court's decisions will be found by a segment of the public to be not the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-day-o-connor/i-think-it-s-inevitable-that-some-of-the-court-s-decisions-will-be/) [Sandra Day O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-day-o-connor/) > [The public is often right during the trends, but wrong at both ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/humphrey-b-neill/the-public-is-often-right-during-the-trends-but-wrong-at-both-ends/) [Humphrey B. Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/humphrey-b-neill/) > [The public are always right... but I think they've got it wrong tonight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-waterman/the-public-are-always-right-but-i-think-they-ve-got-it-wrong-tonight/) [Pete Waterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-waterman/) ## More by Gerald R. Ford > [My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/my-fellow-americans-our-long-national-nightmare-is-over-our/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [One of the enduring truths of the nation's capital is that bureaucrats survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/one-of-the-enduring-truths-of-the-nation-s-capital-is-that/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The old question still remains: Can a free people restrain crime without sacrificing fundamental liberties and a heritage of compassion?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-old-question-still-remains-can-a-free-people-restrain-crime/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [In the firm belief that the American public deserves a better explanation than that thus far given by the Air Force, I strongly recommend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/in-the-firm-belief-that-the-american-public-deserves-a-better/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The Federal role in overcoming barriers to needed health care should emphasize health care financing programs-such as Medicare and Medicaid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-federal-role-in-overcoming-barriers-to-needed-health-care-should/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [America now is stumbling through the darkness of hatred and divisiveness. Our values, our principles, and our determination to succeed as a free and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/america-now-is-stumbling-through-the-darkness-of-hatred-and/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The political lesson of Watergate is this: Never again must America allow an arrogant, elite guard of political adolescents to by-pass the regular party…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-political-lesson-of-watergate-is-this-never-again-must-america/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/this-is-an-hour-of-history-that-troubles-our-minds-and-hurts-our/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [I had a life-long ambition to be a professional baseball player, but nobody would sign me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/i-had-a-life-long-ambition-to-be-a-professional-baseball-player-but/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [It's more like it is now than it ever has been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/it-s-more-like-it-is-now-than-it-ever-has-been/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Let America symbolize humanity's struggle to conquer nature and master technology. The time has now come for our Government to facilitate the individual's control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/let-america-symbolize-humanity-s-struggle-to-conquer-nature-and/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Personal excellence can be achieved by a visionary goal, through planning, dedicated execution, and total follow-through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/personal-excellence-can-be-achieved-by-a-visionary-goal-through/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/now-therefore-i-gerald-r-ford-president-of-the-united-states-pursuant/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [I had pro offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, who were pretty hard up for linemen in those days. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/i-had-pro-offers-from-the-detroit-lions-and-green-bay-packers-who/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [An impeachable offense is whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/an-impeachable-offense-is-whatever-a-majority-of-the-house-of/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) [Explore all 157 Gerald R. Ford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Failure to find a way to incorporate political Islam in democracy, however uncomfortable its ideology is for secular liberals, will mean we have given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/failure-to-find-a-way-to-incorporate-political-islam-in-democracy/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. 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