Full Idea
In a democracy, the people, which holds the sovereign power, ought itself to do everything it can do well; that which it cannot do well must be done by its ministers.
Gist of Idea
In a democracy the people should manage themselves, and only delegate what they can't do
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 02.02)
Book Reference
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.116
A Reaction
This is just what you see when a group of residents manages their own building. Citizens in representative democracies become utterly lazy about running their society, so that they won't even pick up litter, or report communal problems.