Democracy Quote by Karl R. Popper
““The theory I have in mind is one which does not proceed, as it were, from a doctrine of the intrinsic goodness or righteousness of a majority rule, but rather from the baseness of tyranny; or more precisely, it rests upon the decision, or upon the adoption of the proposal, to avoid and to resist tyranny.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Open Society and Its Enemies", 1945
He argues that preventing tyranny is more important than assuming majority rule is inherently good.
In simple terms: Guard against oppression, not just trust majorities.
Key Takeaway
Resist authoritarianism.
Themes
politics
philosophy
ethics
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- legislative voting
- civil protests
- constitutional safeguards
Key Concepts
democracy
tyranny
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards protect against majority tyranny?
- How do we balance majority rule with minority rights?
A Different Perspective
Majorities can also be oppressive if unchecked.
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