Couple Quote by Sheila Jasanoff
“I am kind of a sucker for democracy, so I do think that what kinds of citizens we have in our societies are more foundational than what kinds of governments we have, and that the responsibility for self-government is ultimately with us. But we also have learned through a couple thousand years of democracy that democracies are only as good as people's capacity to reflect on those questions.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture on Democracy, 2020
Citizenship quality shapes democracy more than governmental form; self‑governance depends on reflective capacity.
In simple terms: People matter more than institutions.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate reflective citizens.
Themes
democracy
citizenship
responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
optimistic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- voting
- public deliberation
- community workshops
- education reform
Key Concepts
political theory
civic engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies foster reflective citizens?
- What education methods improve civic reflection?
A Different Perspective
Democracy can falter if citizens lack critical thinking.
