---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Neither democracy nor effective…"
description: "\"Neither democracy nor effective representation is possible until each participant in the group...devotes a measurable part of his life to furthering it..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/lewis-mumford-2870_citizenship_neither-democracy-nor-effective-represen_1207628.png"
---

#  Neither democracy nor effective representation is possible…

![“Neither democracy nor effective representation is possible until each participant in the group...devotes a measurable part of his life to furthering its existence.” quote by Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/lewis-mumford-2870_citizenship_neither-democracy-nor-effective-represen_1207628.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/lewis-mumford-2870_citizenship_neither-democracy-nor-effective-represen_1207628.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/lewis-mumford-2870_citizenship_neither-democracy-nor-effective-represen_1207628.png)

> “Neither democracy nor effective representation is possible until each participant in the group...devotes a measurable part of his life to furthering its existence.”

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Effective democracy requires participants to dedicate time and effort to sustain the system.

**In simple terms:** Democracy needs active commitment.

Key Takeaway

Invest time in civic life.

Themes

democracy participation responsibility

Mood

concerned optimistic

Type

political inspirational

When to use this quote

- voting
- community meetings
- public service
- advocacy

Key Concepts

civic duty collective action political engagement

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you contribute meaningfully?
- What barriers exist?

A Different Perspective

Busy lives may limit involvement.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Citizenship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Effective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-effective-764165/) [Devotes Measurable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devotes-measurable-3647384/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Group Devotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/group-devotes-3647382/) [Groups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groups/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Participants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/participants/) [Representation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/representation/) [Representation Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/representation-possible-3647383/) [World citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-citizen/)

## Related quotes

> [Until democracy in effective enthusiastic action fills the vacuum created by the power of modern inventions, we may expect the fascists to increase in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-wallace/until-democracy-in-effective-enthusiastic-action-fills-the-vacuum/)

[Henry A. Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-wallace/)

> [I see little hope for democracy as an effective form of government, but I admire the poetry of how it makes its victims complicit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliezer-yudkowsky/i-see-little-hope-for-democracy-as-an-effective-form-of-government/)

[Eliezer Yudkowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliezer-yudkowsky/)

> [To me, technology was a means to an end to achieve the social justice goals, stronger democracy and more effective government that is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-simone-noveck/to-me-technology-was-a-means-to-an-end-to-achieve-the-social-justice/)

[Beth Simone Noveck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-simone-noveck/)

> [“You are not just for the right or left, but for what is right over the wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/you-are-not-just-for-the-right-or-left-but-for-what-is-right-over-the/)

[Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/)

> [The efforts of governments alone will never be enough. In the end, the people must choose and the people must help themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-efforts-of-governments-alone-will-never-be-enough-in-the-end-the/)

[John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/)

> [As a doctor, as well as a mother and a world citizen, I wish to practice the ultimate form of preventive medicine by ridding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-caldicott/as-a-doctor-as-well-as-a-mother-and-a-world-citizen-i-wish-to/)

[Helen Caldicott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-caldicott/)

> [“The chaos on our planet, the plundering of resources, and the division of humanity are not the true works of any kind of man.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/the-chaos-on-our-planet-the-plundering-of-resources-and-the-division/)

[Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/)

> [Everyone should strive to be a world citizen. Boundaries were created by man, not the Creator. There is no such thing as THEM vs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/everyone-should-strive-to-be-a-world-citizen-boundaries-were-created/)

[Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/)

> [During bad circumstances, which is the human inheritance, you must decide not to be reduced. You have your humanity, and you must not allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/during-bad-circumstances-which-is-the-human-inheritance-you-must/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [You want to be a citizen of the world, and then life happens, and you forget to be a citizen of the world; you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-whittaker/you-want-to-be-a-citizen-of-the-world-and-then-life-happens-and-you/)

[Jodie Whittaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-whittaker/)

> [Luckily for his audiences, Bennett doesn't tire of singing I Left My Heart. ... that song made me a world citizen. And when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bennett/luckily-for-his-audiences-bennett-doesn-t-tire-of-singing-i-left-my/)

[Tony Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bennett/)

> [“Stars-n-stripes, union jack, all trivial, for the world is my neighborhood. I got no brotherhood of cult or creed, for the world is my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/stars-n-stripes-union-jack-all-trivial-for-the-world-is-my/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [“Illegal Immigrant in every state, for I come from a Time beyond tribes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/illegal-immigrant-in-every-state-for-i-come-from-a-time-beyond-tribes/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [“God would prefer us all to be united than divided. The devil would prefer us all to be divided than united. God prefers the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/god-would-prefer-us-all-to-be-united-than-divided-the-devil-would/)

[Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/)

> [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

## More by Lewis Mumford

> [Restore human legs as a means of travel. Pedestrians rely on food for fuel and need no special parking facilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/restore-human-legs-as-a-means-of-travel-pedestrians-rely-on-food-for/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [Mechanical instruments, potentially a vehicle of rational human purposes, are scarcely a blessing when they enable the gossip of the village idiot and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/mechanical-instruments-potentially-a-vehicle-of-rational-human/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [However far modern science and techniques have fallen short of their inherent possibilities, they have taught mankind at least one lesson; nothing is impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/however-far-modern-science-and-techniques-have-fallen-short-of-their/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [Iron and coal dominated everywhere, from grey to black: the black boots, the black stove-pipe hat, the black coach or carriage, the black iron…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/iron-and-coal-dominated-everywhere-from-grey-to-black-the-black-boots/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [The self holds both a hell and a heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/the-self-holds-both-a-hell-and-a-heaven/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [By his very success in inventing labor-saving devices, modern man has manufactured an abyss of boredom that only the privileged classes in earlier civilizations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/by-his-very-success-in-inventing-labor-saving-devices-modern-man-has/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [Each person is a temporary focus of forces, vitalities, and values that carry back to an immemorial past and that reach forward into an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/each-person-is-a-temporary-focus-of-forces-vitalities-and-values-that/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [Adventure is humdrum and routine unless one assimilates it, unless one relates it to a central core which grows within and gives it contour…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/adventure-is-humdrum-and-routine-unless-one-assimilates-it-unless-one/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [Safety razors make it hard to grow beards in America: America would be a better place if there were a few bearded, savage, terrible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/safety-razors-make-it-hard-to-grow-beards-in-america-america-would-be/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [A society that gives to one class all the opportunities for leisure, and to another all the burdens of work, dooms both classes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/a-society-that-gives-to-one-class-all-the-opportunities-for-leisure/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [Without leisure there can be neither art nor science nor fine conversation, nor any ceremonious performance of the offices of love and friendship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/without-leisure-there-can-be-neither-art-nor-science-nor-fine/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [Not sense data or atoms or electrons or packets of energy, but purposes, interests, and meanings, constitute the underlying facts of human experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/not-sense-data-or-atoms-or-electrons-or-packets-of-energy-but/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [When cities were first founded, an old Egyptian scribe tells us, the mission of the founder was to 'put gods in their shrines.' The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/when-cities-were-first-founded-an-old-egyptian-scribe-tells-us-the/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [“Forget the damned motor car and built cities for lovers and friends .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/forget-the-damned-motor-car-and-built-cities-for-lovers-and-friends/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [Western society has accepted as unquestionable a technological imperative that is quite as arbitrary as the most primitive taboo: not merely the duty to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/western-society-has-accepted-as-unquestionable-a-technological/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

[Explore all 146 Lewis Mumford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

## More Citizenship quotes

> [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/)

> [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/)

[Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/)

> [If you don't plan to live the Christian life totally committed to knowing your God and to walking in obedience to Him, then don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-arthur/if-you-don-t-plan-to-live-the-christian-life-totally-committed-to/)

[Kay Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-arthur/)

> [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [There can be a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act, but why should we shelter someone who has come to India illegally from outside?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raj-thackeray/there-can-be-a-debate-on-the-citizenship-amendment-act-but-why-should/)

[Raj Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raj-thackeray/)

> [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [The point I wish plainly to bring before you on this occasion is the individuality of each human soul--our Protestant idea, the right of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/the-point-i-wish-plainly-to-bring-before-you-on-this-occasion-is-the/)

[Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/)

> [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [Undeniably, character does count for our citizens, out communities, and our Nation, and this week we celebrate the importance of character in our individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/undeniably-character-does-count-for-our-citizens-out-communities-and/)

[William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/)

> [“Encouraging Robert E. Lee to take a job as college president, "You might be presenting to the world in such a position an example…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-nelson-pendleton/encouraging-robert-e-lee-to-take-a-job-as-college-president-you-might/)

[William Nelson Pendleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-nelson-pendleton/)

> [“What constitutes an American? Not color nor race nor religion. Not the pedigree of his family nor the place of his birth. Not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ickes/what-constitutes-an-american-not-color-nor-race-nor-religion-not-the/)

[Harold Ickes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ickes/)

> [In an age of interdependence, global citizenship - based on trust and sense of shared responsibility - is a crucial pillar of progress. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/in-an-age-of-interdependence-global-citizenship-based-on-trust-and/)

[Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/)

> [Strengthening our identity is one way of reinforcing people's confidence and sense of citizenship and well-being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-blunkett/strengthening-our-identity-is-one-way-of-reinforcing-people-s/)

[David Blunkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-blunkett/)

> [We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/we-are-not-to-simply-bandage-the-wounds-of-victims-beneath-the-wheels/)

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/)

[Browse all 793 Citizenship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Neither democracy nor effective representation is possible until each participant in the group...devotes a measurable part of his life to furthering its existence.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Lewis Mumford"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/neither-democracy-nor-effective-representation-is-possible-until-each/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Citizenship"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/neither-democracy-nor-effective-representation-is-possible-until-each/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/lewis-mumford-2870_citizenship_neither-democracy-nor-effective-represen_1207628.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/lewis-mumford-2870_citizenship_neither-democracy-nor-effective-represen_1207628.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/lewis-mumford-2870_citizenship_neither-democracy-nor-effective-represen_1207628.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Neither democracy nor effective representation is possible until each participant in the group...devotes a…” — Lewis Mumford",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Lewis Mumford",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Neither democracy nor effective representation is...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/neither-democracy-nor-effective-representation-is-possible-until-each/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/neither-democracy-nor-effective-representation-is-possible-until-each/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
