--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The OED defines democracy as: “Government…" description: "\"“The OED defines democracy as: “Government by the people; that form of government in which the sovereign power resides in the people….” The legitimate ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/joseph-befumo-7176_democracy_the-oed-defines-democracy-as-government_1220801.jpg" --- # The OED defines democracy as: “Government by the people… ![“The OED defines democracy as: “Government by the people; that form of government in which the sovereign power resides in the people….” The legitimate government of the United States, as described by our Constitution, has no individuals imbued with such prerogatives. Any individual or group laying…” quote by Joseph Befumo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/joseph-befumo-7176_democracy_the-oed-defines-democracy-as-government_1220801.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/joseph-befumo-7176_democracy_the-oed-defines-democracy-as-government_1220801.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/joseph-befumo-7176_democracy_the-oed-defines-democracy-as-government_1220801.jpg) > ““The OED defines democracy as: “Government by the people; that form of government in which the sovereign power resides in the people….” The legitimate government of the United States, as described by our Constitution, has no individuals imbued with such prerogatives. Any individual or group laying claim to sovereign prerogatives is, by definition, acting in opposition to our Constitution—in other words: a traitor.”” [Joseph Befumo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-befumo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Defines democracy as people’s power, argues that claiming sovereign authority opposes the Constitution and labels such claimants as traitors. **In simple terms:** Democracy means power belongs to the people; claiming it alone is treason. Key Takeaway Uphold constitutional limits on authority. Themes democracy constitution authority Mood critical analytical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - political discourse - legal analysis - civic education - policy debates Key Concepts political theory citizenship law sovereignty Questions to Reflect On - Is it ever justified for a group to claim exclusive authority? - How does this view affect dissent in a democracy? A Different Perspective Complex constitutional interpretations may differ on what constitutes “sovereign prerogatives.” ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Legitimate government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legitimate-government/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [Nature has placed mankind under the government of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure... they govern us in all we do, in all we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-bentham/nature-has-placed-mankind-under-the-government-of-two-sovereign/) [Jeremy Bentham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-bentham/) > [The people are the government, administering it by their agents; they are the government, the sovereign power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-jackson/the-people-are-the-government-administering-it-by-their-agents-they/) [Andrew Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-jackson/) > [Nature has placed mankind under the government of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-bentham/nature-has-placed-mankind-under-the-government-of-two-sovereign-2/) [Jeremy Bentham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-bentham/) > [Democracy becomes a government of bullies tempered by editors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/democracy-becomes-a-government-of-bullies-tempered-by-editors/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The first lesson of politics or, at least, democracy is that it is a government by the people and for the people, isn't it?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/urmila-matondkar/the-first-lesson-of-politics-or-at-least-democracy-is-that-it-is-a/) [Urmila Matondkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/urmila-matondkar/) > [Information technology alone cannot provide us an absolute shield against its evil twin disinformation technology. 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