--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So much of democracy is built on…" description: "\"So much of democracy is built on antagonism. It institutionalizes a certain kind of antagonism. This is not to say that we shouldn't have any democracy..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3c/pankaj-mishra-2875_antagonism_so-much-of-democracy-is-built-on-antagon_2545313.jpg" --- # So much of democracy is built on antagonism. It… ![“So much of democracy is built on antagonism. It institutionalizes a certain kind of antagonism. This is not to say that we shouldn't have any democracy, but the fact is that democracy has hardened political identities and made them more violent.” quote by Pankaj Mishra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3c/pankaj-mishra-2875_antagonism_so-much-of-democracy-is-built-on-antagon_2545313.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3c/pankaj-mishra-2875_antagonism_so-much-of-democracy-is-built-on-antagon_2545313.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3c/pankaj-mishra-2875_antagonism_so-much-of-democracy-is-built-on-antagon_2545313.jpg) > “So much of democracy is built on antagonism. It institutionalizes a certain kind of antagonism. This is not to say that we shouldn't have any democracy, but the fact is that democracy has hardened political identities and made them more violent.” [Pankaj Mishra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pankaj-mishra/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy tends to entrench opposing identities, fostering antagonism that can become violent, even though democratic structures are essential. **In simple terms:** Democracy can harden rivalries. Key Takeaway Seek dialogue that bridges political divides. Themes democracy political identity conflict violence society Mood thoughtful concerned Type political philosophical When to use this quote - political discourse - conflict resolution - civic education Key Concepts polarization institutional antagonism social cohesion Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions mitigate hardened identities? A Different Perspective Is all political antagonism harmful? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Antagonism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/antagonism/) [Antagonism Institutionalizes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/antagonism-institutionalizes-1469779/) [Built](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/built/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Democracies have](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracies-have/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Built](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-built-336553/) [Democracy Hardened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-hardened-1469780/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Hardened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardened/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Shouldn Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shouldn-democracy-1469778/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) ## Related quotes > [We benefit, intellectually and personally, from the interplay between different selves, from the balance between long-term contemplation and short-term impulse. 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