--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What the public does is not to express…" description: "\"What the public does is not to express its opinions but to align itself for or against a proposal. If that theory is accepted, we must abandon the noti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/walter-lippmann-1083_abandon_what-the-public-does-is-not-to-express-i_1708236.jpg" --- # What the public does is not to express its opinions but to… ![“What the public does is not to express its opinions but to align itself for or against a proposal. If that theory is accepted, we must abandon the notion that democratic government can be the direct expression of the will of the people. We must abandon the notion that the people govern. Instead…” quote by Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/walter-lippmann-1083_abandon_what-the-public-does-is-not-to-express-i_1708236.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/walter-lippmann-1083_abandon_what-the-public-does-is-not-to-express-i_1708236.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/walter-lippmann-1083_abandon_what-the-public-does-is-not-to-express-i_1708236.jpg) > “What the public does is not to express its opinions but to align itself for or against a proposal. If that theory is accepted, we must abandon the notion that democratic government can be the direct expression of the will of the people. We must abandon the notion that the people govern. Instead, we must adopt the theory that, by their occasional mobilisations as a majority, people support or oppose the individuals who actually govern. We must say that the popular will does not direct continuously but that it intervenes occasionally.” [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) ## 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 not a continuous direct expression of the people’s will; it works through occasional mass mobilizations that influence leaders. **In simple terms:** People influence government mainly through periodic collective actions, not constant direct control. Key Takeaway Recognize the limits of direct democracy. Themes politics democracy representation Mood analytical critical Type theoretical explanatory When to use this quote - elections - protests - policy debates - media campaigns Key Concepts Public opinion theory participatory governance Questions to Reflect On - What mechanisms ensure accountability between mobilizations? - How can citizens stay engaged beyond occasional protests? A Different Perspective The model may underplay the role of institutional checks and elite mediation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandon/) [Accepted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepted/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democratic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic/) [Democratic government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic-government/) [Direct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Govern Instead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/govern-instead-1220753/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Majority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/majority/) [Notion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/notion/) [Notion Democratic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/notion-democratic-1220751/) [Occasional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occasional/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Oppose Individuals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppose-individuals-1220748/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Govern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-govern-274567/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Proposal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proposal/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) ## Related quotes > [We must abandon the notion that the people govern. Instead, we must adopt the theory that, by their occasional mobilisations as a majority, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/we-must-abandon-the-notion-that-the-people-govern-instead-we-must/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [In the White House, you can be on the pitcher's mound or you can be in the catcher's position. Put points on the board.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/in-the-white-house-you-can-be-on-the-pitcher-s-mound-or-you-can-be-in/) [Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/) > [“I consider the central idea pervading this struggle is the necessity that is upon us, of proving that popular govenment is not an absurdity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-consider-the-central-idea-pervading-this-struggle-is-the-necessity/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“In his novels from beginning to end, Dickens is making the same point always: that to the English governing classes the people they govern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-wilson/in-his-novels-from-beginning-to-end-dickens-is-making-the-same-point/) [Edmund Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-wilson/) > [Here, sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/here-sir-the-people-govern-here-they-act-by-their-immediate/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Here sir, the people govern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/here-sir-the-people-govern/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [“The general ethos of the people they have to govern determines the behaviour of politicians.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-s-eliot-2/the-general-ethos-of-the-people-they-have-to-govern-determines-the/) [T.S. Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-s-eliot-2/) > [If one meets a powerful person - Adolf Hitler, Joe Stalin or Bill Gates - ask them five questions: 'What power have you got?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-benn/if-one-meets-a-powerful-person-adolf-hitler-joe-stalin-or-bill-gates-2/) [Tony Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-benn/) > [Do you know what happens with people who cannot govern themselves? That's right. Others come in to govern for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/do-you-know-what-happens-with-people-who-cannot-govern-themselves/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [As our federal government has grown too large and too powerful, the real loss has been the freedom of people to govern their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-forbes/as-our-federal-government-has-grown-too-large-and-too-powerful-the/) [Steve Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-forbes/) > [We must settle this question now -- whether in a free government the minority have the right to break it up whenever they choose.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-must-settle-this-question-now-whether-in-a-free-government-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“The people who lead us are of us. We put them in office and we can take them out. America proves that the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-ellison/the-people-who-lead-us-are-of-us-we-put-them-in-office-and-we-can/) [Keith Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-ellison/) > [Wherever people defend the rights of the individual, I stand with them above all, over and beyond any wishes relating to how an economy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-bookchin/wherever-people-defend-the-rights-of-the-individual-i-stand-with-them/) [Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-bookchin/) > [“For my part I consider the central idea pervading this struggle is the necessity that is upon us of proving that popular government is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-foote/for-my-part-i-consider-the-central-idea-pervading-this-struggle-is/) [Shelby Foote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-foote/) > [Bhojpuri film industry is very small - precisely eight people govern the whole industry and I am one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagma/bhojpuri-film-industry-is-very-small-precisely-eight-people-govern/) [Nagma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagma/) ## More by Walter Lippmann > [The emancipated woman has to fight something worse than the crusted prejudices of her uncles; she has to fight the bewilderment in her own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-emancipated-woman-has-to-fight-something-worse-than-the-crusted/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Even God has been defended with nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/even-god-has-been-defended-with-nonsense/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [A better distribution of incomes would increase that efficiency by diverting a great fund of wealth from the useless to the useful members of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-better-distribution-of-incomes-would-increase-that-efficiency-by/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [There is but one bond of peace that is both permanent and enriching: The increasing knowledge of the world in which experiment occurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/there-is-but-one-bond-of-peace-that-is-both-permanent-and-enriching/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Where there is no danger of overt action there is rarely any interference with freedom. That is why there has so often been amazing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/where-there-is-no-danger-of-overt-action-there-is-rarely-any/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-final-test-of-a-leader-is-that-he-leaves-behind-him-in-other-men/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The simple opposition between the people and big business has disappeared because the people themselves have become so deeply involved in big business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-simple-opposition-between-the-people-and-big-business-has/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [A free press is not a privilege but an organic necessity in a great society. ... A great society is simply a big and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-free-press-is-not-a-privilege-but-an-organic-necessity-in-a-great/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [“Since position and contact play so big a part in determining what can be seen, heard, read, and experienced, as well as what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/since-position-and-contact-play-so-big-a-part-in-determining-what-can/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [An alliance is like a chain. It is not made stronger by adding weak links to it. A great power like the United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/an-alliance-is-like-a-chain-it-is-not-made-stronger-by-adding-weak/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The chief element in the art of statesmanship under modern conditions is the ability to elucidate the confused and clamorous interests which converge upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-chief-element-in-the-art-of-statesmanship-under-modern-conditions/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [At the core of every moral code there is a picture of human nature, a map of the universe, and a version of history.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/at-the-core-of-every-moral-code-there-is-a-picture-of-human-nature-a/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The tendency of the casual mind is to pick out or stumble upon a sample which supports or defies its prejudices, and then to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-tendency-of-the-casual-mind-is-to-pick-out-or-stumble-upon-a/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [There is only one purpose to which a whole society can be directed by a deliberate plan. That purpose is war, and there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/there-is-only-one-purpose-to-which-a-whole-society-can-be-directed-by/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [In a democracy, the opposition is not only tolerated as constitutional, but must be maintained because it is indispensable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/in-a-democracy-the-opposition-is-not-only-tolerated-as-constitutional/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) [Explore all 296 Walter Lippmann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) ## More Abandon quotes > [Humans are, as Sartre put it, 'condemned to be free'. To insist that science, or God, objectively defines moral values is to abandon our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenan-malik/humans-are-as-sartre-put-it-condemned-to-be-free-to-insist-that/) [Kenan Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenan-malik/) > [The purpose of a spirit filled life is to demonstrate the supernatural power of our living God so that the unsaved multitudes will abandon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-l-osborn/the-purpose-of-a-spirit-filled-life-is-to-demonstrate-the/) [T.L. Osborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-l-osborn/) > [However, however, if the goal is to abandon America's free enterprise economy, if the goal is to convert America into a submissive member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/however-however-if-the-goal-is-to-abandon-america-s-free-enterprise/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I would leave at once, but it would be cruel to abandon a lady in a foreign land with a maniac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-would-leave-at-once-but-it-would-be-cruel-to-abandon-a-lady-in-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [When we fall utterly, something gathers us up. But our falling must be without reservation, without expectation, without hope, though not hopeless. You cant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-housden/when-we-fall-utterly-something-gathers-us-up-but-our-falling-must-be/) [Roger Housden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-housden/) > [every subjective phenomenon is essentially connected with a single point of view, and it seems inevitable that an objective, physical theory will abandon that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/every-subjective-phenomenon-is-essentially-connected-with-a-single/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Every great thing starts with an idea, followed by a doubt and finally a resolve to abandon or pursue. Victory is a treacherous journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/every-great-thing-starts-with-an-idea-followed-by-a-doubt-and-finally/) [Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/) > [Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/those-who-have-been-once-intoxicated-with-power-and-have-derived-any/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Do not lose hope; St. Joseph also experienced moments of difficulty, but he never lost faith and was able to overcome them, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/do-not-lose-hope-st-joseph-also-experienced-moments-of-difficulty-but/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [It is a dangerous and fateful presumption, besides the absurd temerity that it implies, to disdain what we do not comprehend. For after you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-a-dangerous-and-fateful-presumption-besides-the-absurd-temerity/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Don't give up because things are hard, but work harder, when you think of giving up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/don-t-give-up-because-things-are-hard-but-work-harder-when-you-think/) [Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/) > [Sex is not the ultimate high, but the ultimate high hangs out around sex. The ultimate high is the dance with another person, played…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/sex-is-not-the-ultimate-high-but-the-ultimate-high-hangs-out-around/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [I care so deeply about this matter that I'm willing to take on the legal penalties, to sit in this prison cell, to sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-care-so-deeply-about-this-matter-that-i-m-willing-to-take-on-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [I've been to unpretty places with the roles I've played, and I'm attracted to reckless abandon. I like being taken to the edge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-ifans/i-ve-been-to-unpretty-places-with-the-roles-i-ve-played-and-i-m/) [Rhys Ifans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-ifans/) [Browse all 1,142 Abandon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandon/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What the public does is not to express its opinions but to align itself for or against a proposal. If that theory is accepted, we must abandon the notion that democratic government can be the direct expression of the will of the people. We must abandon the notion that the people govern. Instead, we must adopt the theory that, by their occasional mobilisations as a majority, people support or oppose the individuals who actually govern. We must say that the popular will does not direct continuously but that it intervenes occasionally.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Walter Lippmann" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/what-the-public-does-is-not-to-express-its-opinions-but-to-align/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abandon" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/what-the-public-does-is-not-to-express-its-opinions-but-to-align/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/walter-lippmann-1083_abandon_what-the-public-does-is-not-to-express-i_1708236.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/walter-lippmann-1083_abandon_what-the-public-does-is-not-to-express-i_1708236.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/walter-lippmann-1083_abandon_what-the-public-does-is-not-to-express-i_1708236.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What the public does is not to express its opinions but to align itself for or against a proposal. If that…” — Walter Lippmann", "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": "Walter Lippmann", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What the public does is not...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/what-the-public-does-is-not-to-express-its-opinions-but-to-align/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/what-the-public-does-is-not-to-express-its-opinions-but-to-align/#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 } } ] } ```