--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A democratic despotism is like a…" description: "\"A democratic despotism is like a theocracy: it assumes its own correctness.\" — Walter Bagehot" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/walter-bagehot-3686_assuming_a-democratic-despotism-is-like-a-theocra_1945618.png" --- # A democratic despotism is like a theocracy: it assumes its… ![“A democratic despotism is like a theocracy: it assumes its own correctness.” quote by Walter Bagehot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/walter-bagehot-3686_assuming_a-democratic-despotism-is-like-a-theocra_1945618.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/walter-bagehot-3686_assuming_a-democratic-despotism-is-like-a-theocra_1945618.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c1/walter-bagehot-3686_assuming_a-democratic-despotism-is-like-a-theocra_1945618.png) > “A democratic despotism is like a theocracy: it assumes its own correctness.” [Walter Bagehot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-bagehot/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He compares a democracy that claims absolute truth to a theocracy, highlighting the danger of unquestioned authority. **In simple terms:** Democracy can become dogmatic like a theocracy. Key Takeaway Question assumptions of authority. Themes politics authority dogmatism Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - Government policy debates - organizational leadership - media narratives Key Concepts Sociology political theory Questions to Reflect On - What mechanisms can prevent a democracy from becoming dogmatic? - How do we encourage healthy skepticism? A Different Perspective Assuming correctness can ignore dissenting voices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bureaucracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bureaucracy/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Despotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despotism/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Theocracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theocracy/) ## Related quotes > [“Democracy is the spawn of despotism. And like father, like son. Democracy is power and rule. It's not the will of the people, remember;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-f-skinner-2/democracy-is-the-spawn-of-despotism-and-like-father-like-son/) [B.F. Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-f-skinner-2/) > [If there is one fact we really can prove, from the history that we really do know, it is that despotism can be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-there-is-one-fact-we-really-can-prove-from-the-history-that-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you disagree with your government, that's political. 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If we are a democracy, what are we to make of the palpable elements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-bloom/dark-influences-from-the-american-past-congregate-among-us-still-if/) [Harold Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-bloom/) > [Calvin founded a little theocracy, modeled after the Old Testament, and succeeded in erecting the most detestable government that ever existed, except the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/calvin-founded-a-little-theocracy-modeled-after-the-old-testament-and/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [“There is no greater threat to liberty, peace and progress than theocracy.  Right now the Muslims just happen to be leading the race when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-lugeons/there-is-no-greater-threat-to-liberty-peace-and-progress-than/) [Noah Lugeons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-lugeons/) > [“The hijab-related deaths and death sentences in Iran show that breaking the attire laws is more dangerous adventure than breaking the nudity laws.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-n-prasher/the-hijab-related-deaths-and-death-sentences-in-iran-show-that/) [R. 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