--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But democracy is by no means a limit one…" description: "\"But democracy is by no means a limit one may not overstep; it is only one of the stages in the course of development from feudalism to capitalism, and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fb/vladimir-lenin-1306_capitalism_but-democracy-is-by-no-means-a-limit-one_1306824.jpg" --- # But democracy is by no means a limit one may not overstep… ![“But democracy is by no means a limit one may not overstep; it is only one of the stages in the course of development from feudalism to capitalism, and from capitalism to Communism.” quote by Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fb/vladimir-lenin-1306_capitalism_but-democracy-is-by-no-means-a-limit-one_1306824.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fb/vladimir-lenin-1306_capitalism_but-democracy-is-by-no-means-a-limit-one_1306824.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fb/vladimir-lenin-1306_capitalism_but-democracy-is-by-no-means-a-limit-one_1306824.jpg) > “But democracy is by no means a limit one may not overstep; it is only one of the stages in the course of development from feudalism to capitalism, and from capitalism to Communism.” [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy is a transitional stage in societal evolution, not an ultimate limit, moving societies toward higher economic systems. **In simple terms:** Democracy is a step toward later economic systems. Key Takeaway Recognize democracy as part of progress. Themes politics history evolution Mood critical analytical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy analysis - education reform - historical study - activism Key Concepts Marxism social development economic theory Questions to Reflect On - Is democracy sufficient for true equality? - What comes after democracy? A Different Perspective Some view democracy as an end goal, not a stage. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Communism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communism/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Feudalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feudalism/) [Limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) ## Related quotes > [The difference between capitalism and feudalism is that under capitalism, they make money directly through wages, manufacturing, and commerce and under feudalism, it's directly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-graeber/the-difference-between-capitalism-and-feudalism-is-that-under/) [David Graeber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-graeber/) > [It is not surprising that liberals believed in progress. The idea of progress justified the entire transition from feudalism to capitalism. It legitimated the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-wallerstein/it-is-not-surprising-that-liberals-believed-in-progress-the-idea-of/) [Immanuel Wallerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-wallerstein/) > [Capitalism, communism ... it's all garbage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mstislav-rostropovich/capitalism-communism-it-s-all-garbage/) [Mstislav Rostropovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mstislav-rostropovich/) > [You can talk about capitalism and communism and all that sort of thing, but the important thing is the struggle everybody is engaged in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-baruch/you-can-talk-about-capitalism-and-communism-and-all-that-sort-of/) [Bernard Baruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-baruch/) > [Society is made up of groups, and as long as the smaller groups do not have the same rights and the same protection as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/society-is-made-up-of-groups-and-as-long-as-the-smaller-groups-do-not/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [I think anytime that you go to the extreme of any mode of economics, be it capitalism or communism, you have these feedback mechanisms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serj-tankian/i-think-anytime-that-you-go-to-the-extreme-of-any-mode-of-economics/) [Serj Tankian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serj-tankian/) > [We wasted a lot of creative energy in that immediate post colonial era, when there was a struggle between, you know, the Cold War…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/we-wasted-a-lot-of-creative-energy-in-that-immediate-post-colonial/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [Just as feudalism was an advance over slavery, and capitalism was the next step after feudalism, socialism is the next step after capitalism…...Socialism in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-hall/just-as-feudalism-was-an-advance-over-slavery-and-capitalism-was-the/) [Gus Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-hall/) > [“The true state will be oriented against both capitalism and communism. At its center will stand a principle of authority and a transcendent symbol…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-evola/the-true-state-will-be-oriented-against-both-capitalism-and-communism/) [Julius Evola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-evola/) > [A Jesuit once wrote a note to Father Arrupe, his superior general, asking him about the relative value of communism, socialism and capitalism. Father…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/a-jesuit-once-wrote-a-note-to-father-arrupe-his-superior-general/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [“At their extremes, capitalism and communism become equivalent: Endless toil motivated by lapidary ideals handed down by a revered and unquestioned leader, and put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-garcia-martinez/at-their-extremes-capitalism-and-communism-become-equivalent-endless/) [Antonio Garcia Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-garcia-martinez/) > [“I don't think Communism will work--in the long run--any better than Christianity has done, and I'm not the Crusader type. Capitalism or Communism? Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/i-don-t-think-communism-will-work-in-the-long-run-any-better-than/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [“Patriotism is just an idea, so is capitalism or communism. But ideas can make men forget their own interests. And the guys in charge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/min-jin-lee/patriotism-is-just-an-idea-so-is-capitalism-or-communism-but-ideas/) [Min Jin Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/min-jin-lee/) > [In the development of both capitalism and communism, as we visualize them in the next fifty or a hundred years, the processes that encourage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/in-the-development-of-both-capitalism-and-communism-as-we-visualize/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“The question of socialism or communism or capitalism or between the left and right – I think the important question is between the industrial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-laduke/the-question-of-socialism-or-communism-or-capitalism-or-between-the/) [Winona LaDuke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-laduke/) ## More by Vladimir Lenin > [Dictatorship is rule based directly upon force and unrestricted by any laws. The revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat is rule won and maintained by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/dictatorship-is-rule-based-directly-upon-force-and-unrestricted-by/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [Honesty in politics is the result of strength; hypocrisy is the result of weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/honesty-in-politics-is-the-result-of-strength-hypocrisy-is-the-result/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [Our power does not know liberty or justice. It is established on the destruction of the individual will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/our-power-does-not-know-liberty-or-justice-it-is-established-on-the/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [For the complete extinction of the state, complete Communism is necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/for-the-complete-extinction-of-the-state-complete-communism-is/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [The reflection of nature in man's thought must be understood not lifelessly but in the eternal process of movement, the arising of contradictions and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/the-reflection-of-nature-in-man-s-thought-must-be-understood-not/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [Our program necessarily includes the propaganda of atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/our-program-necessarily-includes-the-propaganda-of-atheism/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [The best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/the-best-way-to-destroy-the-capitalist-system-is-to-debauch-the/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [“Private property based on the labour of the small proprietor, free competition, democracy, i.e., all the catchwords with which the capitalists and their press…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/private-property-based-on-the-labour-of-the-small-proprietor-free/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [Can a nation be free if it oppresses other nations? It cannot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/can-a-nation-be-free-if-it-oppresses-other-nations-it-cannot/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [International unity of the workers is more important than the national.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/international-unity-of-the-workers-is-more-important-than-the-national/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [I don't care what becomes of Russia. To hell with it. All this is only the road to a World Revolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/i-don-t-care-what-becomes-of-russia-to-hell-with-it-all-this-is-only/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [I must say that the tasks of the youth in general, and of the Young Communist Leagues and all other organisations in particular, might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/i-must-say-that-the-tasks-of-the-youth-in-general-and-of-the-young/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [People always have been the foolish victims of deception and self-deception in politics, and they always will be, until they have learned to seek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/people-always-have-been-the-foolish-victims-of-deception-and-self/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [One would like to stroke and caress human beings, but one dares not do so, because they bite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/one-would-like-to-stroke-and-caress-human-beings-but-one-dares-not-do/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [As an ultimate objective, "peace" simply means communist world control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/as-an-ultimate-objective-peace-simply-means-communist-world-control/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) [Explore all 258 Vladimir Lenin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) ## More Capitalism quotes > [Don't let's lose sight of what creates wealth. It is open markets, it is capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/don-t-let-s-lose-sight-of-what-creates-wealth-it-is-open-markets-it/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [Crony capitalism is essentially a condition in which... public officials are giving favours to people in the private sector in payment of political favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/crony-capitalism-is-essentially-a-condition-in-which-public-officials/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [ Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a \[Soviet socialistic\] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-national-socialism-have-anything/) [Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/) > [Corporations have nothing to do with values, and they know it, and sometimes say it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-values-and-they-know-it-and/) [Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/) > [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/) F. A. Harper > [The free market is ugly and stupid, like going to the mall; the unfree market is just as ugly and just as stupid, except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-free-market-is-ugly-and-stupid-like-going-to-the-mall-the-unfree/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Capitalism, communism ... it's all garbage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mstislav-rostropovich/capitalism-communism-it-s-all-garbage/) [Mstislav Rostropovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mstislav-rostropovich/) > [There are no two countries with the same style of economic mechanism, with the same capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatoly-chubais/there-are-no-two-countries-with-the-same-style-of-economic-mechanism/) [Anatoly Chubais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatoly-chubais/) > [It is more than a little ironic that "capital accumulation" once a rather tendentious Marxian view of a supposed capitalist obsession, should have become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kuttner/it-is-more-than-a-little-ironic-that-capital-accumulation-once-a/) [Robert Kuttner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kuttner/) > [Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/historically-usury-was-defined-as-any-interest-whatever-on-an/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Socialism is humanity's second nature. All politicians do is turn human vice into votes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilana-mercer/socialism-is-humanity-s-second-nature-all-politicians-do-is-turn/) [Ilana Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilana-mercer/) > [“Scholars have long debated whether capital markets lead to appropriate levels of saving and investment for future generations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-l-weimer/scholars-have-long-debated-whether-capital-markets-lead-to/) David L. Weimer > [“A car is one of the most interesting inventions, but driving is one of the most boring activities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-car-is-one-of-the-most-interesting-inventions-but-driving-is-one-of/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) [Browse all 3,832 Capitalism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But democracy is by no means a limit one may not overstep; it is only one of the stages in the course of development from feudalism to capitalism, and from capitalism to Communism.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Vladimir Lenin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/but-democracy-is-by-no-means-a-limit-one-may-not-overstep-it-is-only/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Capitalism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/but-democracy-is-by-no-means-a-limit-one-may-not-overstep-it-is-only/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fb/vladimir-lenin-1306_capitalism_but-democracy-is-by-no-means-a-limit-one_1306824.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fb/vladimir-lenin-1306_capitalism_but-democracy-is-by-no-means-a-limit-one_1306824.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fb/vladimir-lenin-1306_capitalism_but-democracy-is-by-no-means-a-limit-one_1306824.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“But democracy is by no means a limit one may not overstep; it is only one of the stages in the course of…” — Vladimir Lenin", "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": "Vladimir Lenin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "But democracy is by no means...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/but-democracy-is-by-no-means-a-limit-one-may-not-overstep-it-is-only/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/but-democracy-is-by-no-means-a-limit-one-may-not-overstep-it-is-only/#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 } } ] } ```