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Single Idea 22875
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / a. Nature of democracy
]
Full Idea
A democracy is more than a form of government; it is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience
Gist of Idea
Democracy is not just a form of government; it is a mode of shared living
Source
John Dewey (The Middle Works (15 vols, ed Boydston) [1910], 9:93), quoted by David Hildebrand - Dewey 4 'Democracy'
Book Ref
Hildebrand,David: 'Dewey' [One World 2008], p.119
A Reaction
This precisely pinpoints the heart of the culture wars in 2021. A huge swathe of western populations believe in Dewey's idea, but a core of wealthy right-wingers and their servants only see democracy as the mechanism for obtaining power.
The
34 ideas
with the same theme
[what democracy is]:
22559
|
Democracy is the worst of good constitutions, but the best of bad constitutions
[Plato, by Aristotle]
|
87
|
Democracy is the best constitution for friendship, because it encourages equality
[Aristotle]
|
2823
|
The many may add up to something good, even if they are inferior as individuals
[Aristotle]
|
2826
|
Like water, large numbers of people are harder to corrupt than a few
[Aristotle]
|
22560
|
Popular leaders only arise in democracies that are not in accord with the law
[Aristotle]
|
22562
|
Choosing officials by lot is democratic
[Aristotle]
|
22567
|
Democracy arises when people who are given equal freedom assume unconditional equality
[Aristotle]
|
1541
|
It is better to be poor in a democracy than be rich without freedom
[Democritus (attr)]
|
21938
|
Democracy needs respect for individuality, but the 'community of friends' implies strict equality
[Grotius]
|
6682
|
Majority opinion is visible and authoritative, although not very clever
[Pascal]
|
19887
|
Unanimous consent makes a united community, which is then ruled by the majority
[Locke]
|
19901
|
The people have supreme power, to depose a legislature which has breached their trust
[Locke]
|
19825
|
If the sovereign entrusts government to at least half the citizens, that is 'democracy'
[Rousseau]
|
7229
|
People who transact their own business will also have the initiative to control their government
[Mill]
|
22876
|
Democracy is the development of human nature when it shares in the running of communal activities
[Dewey]
|
22875
|
Democracy is not just a form of government; it is a mode of shared living
[Dewey]
|
23371
|
Modern democratic theory focuses on talk, not votes, because we need consensus or compromise
[Kymlicka]
|
23254
|
Democracies should require a supermajority for major questions
[Grayling]
|
23255
|
It is essential for democracy that voting is free and well informed
[Grayling]
|
21131
|
Democracy is competition for support of the people, guided by self-interest on all sides
[Posner]
|
20510
|
A system of democracy which includes both freedom and equality is almost impossible
[Wolff,J]
|
20511
|
Democracy expresses equal respect (which explains why criminals forfeit the vote)
[Wolff,J]
|
20502
|
Democracy has been seen as consistent with many types of inequality
[Wolff,J]
|
20496
|
A true democracy could not tolerate slavery, exploitation or colonialism
[Wolff,J]
|
21002
|
Effective democracy needs tolerant values
[Sen]
|
20085
|
Democracy is the best compromise between legitimacy and efficiency
[Reybrouck]
|
20559
|
Democracy is bad, but the other systems are worse
[Swift]
|
20561
|
Since all opinions are treated as equal in democracy, it implies there are no right answers
[Swift]
|
20562
|
Design your democracy to treat citizens equally, or to produce better citizens?
[Swift]
|
20563
|
Design your democracy to yield political stability, or good decisions?
[Swift]
|
21129
|
Democracy is a method of selection, or it involves participation, or it concerns public discussion
[Shorten]
|
21130
|
Some say democracy is intrinsically valuable, others that it delivers good outcomes
[Shorten]
|
20606
|
Epistemic theories defend democracy as more likely to produce the right answer
[Tuckness/Wolf]
|
20600
|
Which areas of public concern should be decided democratically, and which not?
[Tuckness/Wolf]
|