--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everybody's for democracy in principle…" description: "\"Everybody's for democracy in principle. It's only in practice that the thing gives rise to stiff objections.\" — Meg Greenfield" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51f/meg-greenfield-33661_democracy_everybody-s-for-democracy-in-principle-i_2648091.jpg" --- # Everybody's for democracy in principle. It's only in… ![“Everybody's for democracy in principle. It's only in practice that the thing gives rise to stiff objections.” quote by Meg Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51f/meg-greenfield-33661_democracy_everybody-s-for-democracy-in-principle-i_2648091.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51f/meg-greenfield-33661_democracy_everybody-s-for-democracy-in-principle-i_2648091.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51f/meg-greenfield-33661_democracy_everybody-s-for-democracy-in-principle-i_2648091.jpg) > “Everybody's for democracy in principle. It's only in practice that the thing gives rise to stiff objections.” [Meg Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-greenfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Idealistic support for democracy clashes with real-world complexities and resistance. **In simple terms:** Democracy sounds good, but practice is messy. Key Takeaway Recognize and address democratic challenges. Themes politics idealism pragmatism Mood critical analytical Type philosophical academic When to use this quote - elections - policy making - public protests - media coverage Key Concepts democratic theory social conflict Questions to Reflect On - What democratic flaw concerns you most? - How can citizens improve practice? A Different Perspective Idealism may overlook necessary compromises. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-principle-1111040/) [Everybody Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everybody-democracy-2325807/) [Objections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objections/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Stiff Objections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stiff-objections-2325808/) ## Related quotes > [“One particular form of this logical argument is directed against a too naïve version of liberalism, of democracy, and of the principle that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-r-popper/one-particular-form-of-this-logical-argument-is-directed-against-a/) [Karl R. 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So they assemble in protests to convey their objections. What’s wrong with that? A similar outpouring came recently from American Walter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-scully/at-their-disposal-so-they-assemble-in-protests-to-convey-their/) [Matthew Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-scully/) > [Among many other weighty objections to the Measure, it has been suggested, that it has a tendency to introduce religious disputes into the Army,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/among-many-other-weighty-objections-to-the-measure-it-has-been/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [“Set aside your repertoire of objections and own 100 percent of your focus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/set-aside-your-repertoire-of-objections-and-own-100-percent-of-your/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [Each Act of Parliament intended to address harassment and discrimination has faced objections on the basis of 'you'll never be able to prove...' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-field/each-act-of-parliament-intended-to-address-harassment-and/) [Tim Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-field/) ## More by Meg Greenfield > [Ninety percent of politics is deciding whom to blame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-greenfield/ninety-percent-of-politics-is-deciding-whom-to-blame/) [Meg Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-greenfield/) > [The forces of retribution are always listening. They never sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-greenfield/the-forces-of-retribution-are-always-listening-they-never-sleep/) [Meg Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-greenfield/) > [In Washington it is an honor to be disgraced. you have to have been somebody to fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-greenfield/in-washington-it-is-an-honor-to-be-disgraced-you-have-to-have-been/) [Meg Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-greenfield/) > [In government and out, there are vast realms of the bureaucracy dedicated to seeking more information, in perpetuity if need be, in order to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-greenfield/in-government-and-out-there-are-vast-realms-of-the-bureaucracy/) [Meg Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-greenfield/) > [Everyone seems to be running against a liar, but nobody seems to be one. 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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. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 11,220 Democracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Everybody's for democracy in principle. 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