--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What we have now is democracy without…" description: "\"What we have now is democracy without citizens. No one is on the public's side. All the buyers are on the corporations' side. And the bureaucrats in th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/ralph-nader-1783_administration_what-we-have-now-is-democracy-without-ci_1954979.png" --- # What we have now is democracy without citizens. No one is… ![“What we have now is democracy without citizens. No one is on the public's side. All the buyers are on the corporations' side. And the bureaucrats in the Administration don't think the government belongs to the people.” quote by Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/ralph-nader-1783_administration_what-we-have-now-is-democracy-without-ci_1954979.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/ralph-nader-1783_administration_what-we-have-now-is-democracy-without-ci_1954979.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/ralph-nader-1783_administration_what-we-have-now-is-democracy-without-ci_1954979.png) > “What we have now is democracy without citizens. No one is on the public's side. All the buyers are on the corporations' side. And the bureaucrats in the Administration don't think the government belongs to the people.” [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy fails when citizens disengage and corporations dominate, eroding public ownership of government. **In simple terms:** Democracy without citizens is hollow. Key Takeaway Reengage citizens to restore democratic health. Themes democracy citizenship corporate power government accountability Mood critical urgent Type political activist When to use this quote - voter turnout - community organizing - policy reform - corporate lobbying Key Concepts political theory civic engagement Questions to Reflect On - How can ordinary people reclaim power? - What reforms reduce corporate dominance? A Different Perspective Corporate influence can be entrenched and hard to dismantle. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Administration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/administration/) [Bureaucrats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bureaucrats/) [Buyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buyers/) [Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens/) [Citizens Public](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens-public-3194901/) [Corporations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corporations/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-citizens-2657742/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Belongs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-belongs-2261026/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sides/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Active people to revitalize what is really the root of democracy: citizens communicating with each other. Democracy is not just about voting, it's about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/active-people-to-revitalize-what-is-really-the-root-of-democracy/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [...having a member who serves in the Government and who also belongs to the structures of the party does not retard this particular objective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-zuma/having-a-member-who-serves-in-the-government-and-who-also-belongs-to/) [Jacob Zuma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-zuma/) > [In a democracy, citizens pass judgment on their government, and if they are kept in the dark about what their government is doing, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/in-a-democracy-citizens-pass-judgment-on-their-government-and-if-they/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [What my campaign is about is a political revolution - millions of people standing up and saying, enough is enough. Our government belongs to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/what-my-campaign-is-about-is-a-political-revolution-millions-of/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [I think it's important to remember that the court itself, the federal government itself belongs to the American people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/i-think-it-s-important-to-remember-that-the-court-itself-the-federal/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [“The government belongs to the poor people of the country. We are custodian of people's hope. For whom should the government be? For educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-government-belongs-to-the-poor-people-of-the-country-we-are/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [When we speak of the origin of western democracy it's precisely here, in this territory that the modern definition of democracy first emerged in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-castro-espin/when-we-speak-of-the-origin-of-western-democracy-it-s-precisely-here/) [Alejandro Castro Espin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-castro-espin/) > [“Your government belongs in jail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/your-government-belongs-in-jail/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [It is a fundamental principle of democracy that citizens obey the law or incur whatever penalty applies to its breaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-widdecombe/it-is-a-fundamental-principle-of-democracy-that-citizens-obey-the-law/) [Ann Widdecombe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-widdecombe/) > [In a democracy, the citizens are supposed to have all the power, and the government is supposed to be the means by which the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-paglen/in-a-democracy-the-citizens-are-supposed-to-have-all-the-power-and/) [Trevor Paglen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-paglen/) > [My concern is the holistic development of society. No one should go back, everyone must move forward. Enough time has been spent going backwards;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/my-concern-is-the-holistic-development-of-society-no-one-should-go/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [This is democracy: the citizens can vote anyone to power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-shah/this-is-democracy-the-citizens-can-vote-anyone-to-power/) [Amit Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-shah/) > [“The national government belongs to the whole American people,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-beard/the-national-government-belongs-to-the-whole-american-people/) [Charles A. Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-beard/) > [In a well-functioning democracy, citizens have the option of voting their political masters out of office. Not so in most companies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-hamel/in-a-well-functioning-democracy-citizens-have-the-option-of-voting/) [Gary Hamel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-hamel/) > [I would like to see a lot more buyers and also a lot less bargaining by local buyers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nandita-mahtani/i-would-like-to-see-a-lot-more-buyers-and-also-a-lot-less-bargaining/) [Nandita Mahtani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nandita-mahtani/) ## More by Ralph Nader > [This welfare for wealthy companies wastes taxpayer dollars, harms the environment, and makes a mockery of the recent reductions in federal social spending programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/this-welfare-for-wealthy-companies-wastes-taxpayer-dollars-harms-the/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [Nuclear power must be dealt with irrationally. . . . Nuclear plants are carcinogens. Let's get that story out. . . . Their lies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/nuclear-power-must-be-dealt-with-irrationally-nuclear-plants-are/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [In 2000 the majority of people wanted me and Buchanan on the debates in two thousand. And me on the debates in 2004. have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/in-2000-the-majority-of-people-wanted-me-and-buchanan-on-the-debates/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [What we need to recognize, less than 1 percent of the people organized around issues that are already supported by conservatives and liberals, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/what-we-need-to-recognize-less-than-1-percent-of-the-people-organized/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [We live in a two-party tyranny that doesn't believe in competition, can enforce it with penalties and obstructions, and they're getting closer and closer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/we-live-in-a-two-party-tyranny-that-doesn-t-believe-in-competition/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [George W. Bush is very vulnerable but not if you campaign the way the major candidates - except for Dean and Kucinich - are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/george-w-bush-is-very-vulnerable-but-not-if-you-campaign-the-way-the/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [In the meantime the big corporations are fleeing America for tax havens and places like Ireland, Luxembourg and the Grand Cayman Islands; the rich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/in-the-meantime-the-big-corporations-are-fleeing-america-for-tax/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [Full Medicare-for-all, free choice of doctor and hospital: that comes in sixty to seventy percent without even further explanation. And if you ever explained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/full-medicare-for-all-free-choice-of-doctor-and-hospital-that-comes/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [I always say there's no ticket of admission for active citizenship. Anybody can get through that gate, and anybody can ask that basic question…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/i-always-say-there-s-no-ticket-of-admission-for-active-citizenship/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [People have got to show up, showing up at meetings, rallies, marches, City Council, courtrooms. You've got to show up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/people-have-got-to-show-up-showing-up-at-meetings-rallies-marches/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [For almost seventy years the life insurance industry has been a smug sacred cow feeding the public a steady line of sacred bull.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/for-almost-seventy-years-the-life-insurance-industry-has-been-a-smug/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [It is fascinating to watch legislators turn away from their usual corporate grips when they hear the growing thunder of the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/it-is-fascinating-to-watch-legislators-turn-away-from-their-usual/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [In 2004 Professor Stephen Farnsworth, when I report saying that I got about five minutes on all the networks after Labor Day to election…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/in-2004-professor-stephen-farnsworth-when-i-report-saying-that-i-got/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [Young wives are the leading asset of corporate power. They want the suburbs, a house, a settled life, and respectability. They want society to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/young-wives-are-the-leading-asset-of-corporate-power-they-want-the/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [Moral courage is the highest expression of humanity ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/moral-courage-is-the-highest-expression-of-humanity/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) [Explore all 208 Ralph Nader quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) ## More Administration quotes > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you want to serve in a Trump administration, you're going to serve this country, not yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-spicer/if-you-want-to-serve-in-a-trump-administration-you-re-going-to-serve/) [Sean Spicer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-spicer/) > [Listen, I have a great affection and respect for Joe Biden. I think he's been a great vice president. He's taken on a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-axelrod/listen-i-have-a-great-affection-and-respect-for-joe-biden-i-think-he/) [David Axelrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-axelrod/) > [I don't believe anyone that I know in the administration ever said that Iraq had nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/i-don-t-believe-anyone-that-i-know-in-the-administration-ever-said/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [What was unique about me being in City Hall during the Giuliani Administration, I was the only one who wasn't an attorney. I may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lhota/what-was-unique-about-me-being-in-city-hall-during-the-giuliani/) [Joe Lhota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lhota/) > [The Trump administration launched the cruise missile strikes in Syria, an act of war, without a U.N. resolution or Congressional authorization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bergen/the-trump-administration-launched-the-cruise-missile-strikes-in-syria/) [Peter Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bergen/) > [The only way I'll ever run a marathon is if I'm involved in the administration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-phillips/the-only-way-i-ll-ever-run-a-marathon-is-if-i-m-involved-in-the/) [Sally Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-phillips/) > [Obama spent the first two years of his administration practicing political unilateral disarmament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cenk-uygur/obama-spent-the-first-two-years-of-his-administration-practicing/) [Cenk Uygur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cenk-uygur/) > [The actions of the University in my case make it abundantly clear that the Administration's rhetoric about Harvard's desire to attract and retain the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-geller/the-actions-of-the-university-in-my-case-make-it-abundantly-clear/) [Margaret Geller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-geller/) > [In mid-May, the House of Representatives approved the full amount of money that the Veterans Administration said was needed for next year - plus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doc-hastings/in-mid-may-the-house-of-representatives-approved-the-full-amount-of/) [Doc Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doc-hastings/) > [In 1953, the United States played a significant role in orchestrating the overthrow of Iran's popular prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. The Eisenhower administration believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/in-1953-the-united-states-played-a-significant-role-in-orchestrating/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [The administration of George W. Bush, emboldened by the Sept. 11 attacks and the backing of a Republican Congress, has sought to further extend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/the-administration-of-george-w-bush-emboldened-by-the-sept-11-attacks/) [Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/) > [When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/when-we-criticize-in-iran-the-actions-of-the-government-the/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [We will finally complete the biometric entry-exit visa tracking system, which we need desperately. 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