Single Idea 22875

[catalogued under 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 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.