Definitions Quote by Noam Chomsky
“Democracy is always harmful to elite interests. Almost by definition.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Media Control and the Public Mind, Noam Chomsky, 1991
Elite groups benefit when democracy limits their power, so democracy often conflicts with elite interests.
In simple terms: Democracy can threaten elite power, creating tension.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address power imbalances.
Themes
politics
power
elite control
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- campaign strategy
- activism
- corporate lobbying
Key Concepts
political economy
democratic theory
interest groups
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms protect democratic interests?
- How can citizens counter elite influence?
A Different Perspective
It may ignore cases where elites support democratic reforms.
![“Democracy is an excellent way of ensuring that nothing much gets done. There are always interests that might get trampled upon [and no elected politician would wish to make permanent enemies by trampling upon others' interests].” quote by Edward De Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d9d/edward-de-bono-2489_democracy_democracy-is-an-excellent-way-of-ensurin_2518854.jpg)
![“It [concentration of wealth and power] has been a menace to . . . American democracy.” quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cae/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_american-democracy_it-concentration-of-wealth-and-power-has_2441480.jpg)
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
![“The self is defined psychologically as the psychic totality of the individual. Anything that a [person] postulates as being a greater totality than [oneself] can become a symbol of the self. For this reason the symbol of the self is not always as total as the definition would require.” quote by Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/251/carl-jung-274_defined_the-self-is-defined-psychologically-as-t_7148.jpg)
