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 Reference
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.