Classic Quote by John Dewey
“Cooperation called fraternity in the classic French formula is as much a part of the democratic ideal as is personal initiative. That cultural conditions were allowed to develop (markedly so in the economic phase) which subordinated cooperativeness to liberty and equality serves to explain the decline in the two latter.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Public and Its Problems, John Dewey, 1927
The quote argues that true democracy requires both collective cooperation (fraternity) and individual initiative, and that neglecting cooperation leads to democratic decline.
In simple terms: Democracy needs teamwork and personal drive; ignoring teamwork weakens it.
Key Takeaway
Balance cooperation with initiative.
Themes
democracy
cooperation
individualism
social harmony
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
educational
When to use this quote
- community building
- policy design
- education reform
- organizational leadership
Key Concepts
social contract
civic responsibility
collective action
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies nurture both cooperation and initiative?
- What policies best support this balance?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on liberty can erode cooperative values.
![“In other words, all these things you might cling to, Catholicism, democratic ideals, Hasidism, Marxism, Freudianism, all of these things are exposed [through use of psychedelics] as simply quaint cultural artifacts, painted masks and rattles assembled by people of good intent but clearly not great…” quote by Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/89c/terence-mckenna-287_artifacts_in-other-words-all-these-things-you-migh_1201934.jpg)
