Single Idea 20559

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / a. Nature of democracy]

Full Idea

During WW2 Winston Churchill famously said that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried.

Gist of Idea

Democracy is bad, but the other systems are worse

Source

Adam Swift (Political Philosophy (3rd ed) [2014], 5 'Procedures')

Book Reference

Swift,Adam: 'Political Philosophy (3rd edn)' [Polity 2014], p.203


A Reaction

[Actually a speech in 1947, which began 'it has been said that....'] Aristotle thought an intelligent and benevolent dictatorship was the best form, but held little hope of achieving it. Getting rid of bad rulers is the big virtue.