--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The best defense of democracy is an…" description: "\"The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/thomas-jefferson-43_defense_the-best-defense-of-democracy-is-an-info_2409501.jpg" --- # The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate. ![“The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/thomas-jefferson-43_defense_the-best-defense-of-democracy-is-an-info_2409501.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/thomas-jefferson-43_defense_the-best-defense-of-democracy-is-an-info_2409501.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/thomas-jefferson-43_defense_the-best-defense-of-democracy-is-an-info_2409501.jpg) > “The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate.” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An informed electorate protects democracy by making wise choices. **In simple terms:** Informed voters safeguard democracy. Key Takeaway Stay educated and vote wisely. Themes democracy education citizenship Mood civic encouraging Type political educational When to use this quote - elections - public debates - media consumption Key Concepts political knowledge civic duty Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay informed? - What sources do you trust? A Different Perspective Misinformation threatens knowledge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense/) [Defense Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense-democracy-1681854/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Informed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-informed-1241320/) [Electorate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electorate/) [Informed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/informed/) [Informed Electorate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/informed-electorate-281454/) ## Related quotes > [If we don't have an informed electorate we don't have a democracy. So I don't care how people get the information, as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-lehrer/if-we-don-t-have-an-informed-electorate-we-don-t-have-a-democracy-so/) [Jim Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-lehrer/) > [An informed electorate is foundational to the future of this Republic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-cawthorn/an-informed-electorate-is-foundational-to-the-future-of-this-republic/) [Madison Cawthorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-cawthorn/) > [A properly functioning democracy depends on an informed electorate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-properly-functioning-democracy-depends-on-an-informed-electorate/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [You cannot have a democracy without an informed people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-thomas/you-cannot-have-a-democracy-without-an-informed-people/) [Helen Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-thomas/) > [The country is only as strong as its journalism - that's the way democracies work. The higher the quality of the information, the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-pelley/the-country-is-only-as-strong-as-its-journalism-that-s-the-way/) [Scott Pelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-pelley/) > [Without an informed electorate, politicians will continue to use the bottom billion merely for photo opportunities, rather than promoting real transformation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-collier/without-an-informed-electorate-politicians-will-continue-to-use-the/) [Paul Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-collier/) > [If you have an informed electorate, it makes great choices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mayer/if-you-have-an-informed-electorate-it-makes-great-choices/) [Jane Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mayer/) > [Reading builds the educated and informed electorate so vital to our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-henry/reading-builds-the-educated-and-informed-electorate-so-vital-to-our/) [Brad Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-henry/) > [The weakness in a model in which one assumes that the electorate gets what it needs from Bill Clinton is that our system doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hall-jamieson/the-weakness-in-a-model-in-which-one-assumes-that-the-electorate-gets/) [Kathleen Hall Jamieson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hall-jamieson/) > [The best defense against democracy is to distract people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-best-defense-against-democracy-is-to-distract-people/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The defense of our democracy against the forces that threaten it from without has made some of its failures to function at home glaringly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-willkie/the-defense-of-our-democracy-against-the-forces-that-threaten-it-from/) [Wendell Willkie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-willkie/) > [To make fun of an administration, to make fun of anything, Mark Twain said, is the last defense of democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/to-make-fun-of-an-administration-to-make-fun-of-anything-mark-twain/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [A vital democracy requires an informed electorate, civil discourse, and bold thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-o-meara-sanders/a-vital-democracy-requires-an-informed-electorate-civil-discourse-and/) [Jane O'Meara Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-o-meara-sanders/) > [The inability or unwillingness of citizens to differentiate between fake and authentic news is undermining a fundamental assumption of democracy: the informed voter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-edelman/the-inability-or-unwillingness-of-citizens-to-differentiate-between/) [Richard Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-edelman/) > [Bernard Shaw remains the only model we have of what the citizen of a democracy should be: an informed participant in all things we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/bernard-shaw-remains-the-only-model-we-have-of-what-the-citizen-of-a/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More Defense quotes > [Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bond/advances-in-technology-will-continue-to-reach-far-into-every-sector/) [Christopher Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bond/) > [On the McLaughlin Report, August 26, 1990: 'There are only two groups that are beating the drums for war in the middle East, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/on-the-mclaughlin-report-august-26-1990-there-are-only-two-groups/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [My last defense / Is the present tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwendolyn-brooks/my-last-defense-is-the-present-tense/) [Gwendolyn Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwendolyn-brooks/) > [Football is not just all about throwing the ball. You got to run the ball, too. Defense has to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-jefferson/football-is-not-just-all-about-throwing-the-ball-you-got-to-run-the/) [Justin Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-jefferson/) > [The law is the collective organization of the individual's right to lawful defense of his life, liberty and property. When it is used for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-law-is-the-collective-organization-of-the-individual-s-right-to/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [Witness for the defense, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/witness-for-the-defense-albus-percival-wulfric-brian-dumbledore/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You say I have a bad attitude. But have you ever stopped to check yours?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasha-marie/you-say-i-have-a-bad-attitude-but-have-you-ever-stopped-to-check-yours/) [Tasha Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasha-marie/) > [ Their \[the U.S.’s\] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolute-figures-is-almost-25-times/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [He should release the tax returns tomorrow. It's crazy. You've got to release six, eight, ten years back tax returns. Take the hit for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kristol/he-should-release-the-tax-returns-tomorrow-it-s-crazy-you-ve-got-to/) [William Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kristol/) > [Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/defense-is-a-definite-part-of-the-game-and-a-great-part-of-defense-is/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [When you shoot someone who is fleeing, it's not self-defense. It's an execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-shoot-someone-who-is-fleeing-it-s-not-self-defense-it-s-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Virtually every major technological advance in the history of the human species- back to the invention of stone tools and the domestication of fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/virtually-every-major-technological-advance-in-the-history-of-the/) [Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/) [Browse all 2,426 Defense quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-best-defense-of-democracy-is-an-informed-electorate/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Defense" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-best-defense-of-democracy-is-an-informed-electorate/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/thomas-jefferson-43_defense_the-best-defense-of-democracy-is-an-info_2409501.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/thomas-jefferson-43_defense_the-best-defense-of-democracy-is-an-info_2409501.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/thomas-jefferson-43_defense_the-best-defense-of-democracy-is-an-info_2409501.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate.” — Thomas Jefferson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Jefferson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The best defense of democracy is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-best-defense-of-democracy-is-an-informed-electorate/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-best-defense-of-democracy-is-an-informed-electorate/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```