H. L. Mencken Quote 

"Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies
to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule --
and both commonly succeed, and are right."

by:
H. L. Mencken
(1880-1956) American Journalist, Editor, Essayist, Linguist, Lexicographer, and Critic
Categories:
 
Bookmark and Share

Reader comments about this quote:
Well said. The problems in America today have nothing to do with party politics.
 -- Logan, Memphis, TN		 
an astute in the obvious observation
 -- Mike, Norwalk		 
Such negativism... I prefer to believe that some truely believe in their causes.
 -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US		 
My primary objection tho this quote is the U.S. is a Republic. Calling it a democracy has cause more damage than "ordinary Americans" realize. It's time for the third largest party in the country, Libertarians, to run things. We could have some of our freedoms restored, balance the budget, and stop attacking other countries.
 -- Joe, Rochester, MI		 
No party is fit to 'rule' -- their job is to secure the Liberty of the people, not rule over them. Mencken's humor certainly lightens up an already depressing reality.
 -- E Archer, NYC		 
Joe, Thomas Jefferson referred to the nation as a 'democratic-republic' -- his party was called the Democratic-Republicans. He also referred to the government as 'the democracy' in addition to 'the republics (plural as each state and county were 'republics')'. Today, we have neither a democracy nor a republic in their truest senses. A democratic process is referred to as a 'democracy' and when used in that context, it does relate to the US government. The type of government the US has is 'republican' with some democratic processes (but not everything is up for vote by all the people). May I suggest to those who remind us regularly that we are a republic, we do employ democracy as part of the management of the republic(s) and it is not entirely incorrect to refer to America as a democracy -- the word 'republic' does not necessarily mean a 'democratic-republic' (like the People's Republic of China, etc.). Let's argue over the principles of these words rather than the words themselves.
 -- E Archer, NYC		 
Joe, I think you're absolutely right about the damage. Though I think Mencken was right in his observation of democracies, because, once each political party grows stronger than the next, in such a democracy, the other parties must show that the party in power is unfit -- this is the only way to overthrow the majority, while in a democracy. Our supposed anti-democratic Republic, however, can also exist with parties, though it is difficult without sliding into a democracy. As Archer said, "No party is fit to 'rule' -- their job is to secure the Liberty of the people." In a Republic, it doesn't matter WHAT the masses (different parties) want, if it violates the foundation of the individual's rights, liberties, and freedoms -- it can't be done.
 -- Logan, Memphis, TN		 
How witty and true. Most especially when there are only two.....uh, parties.
 -- Gölök Zoltán Leenderdt Franco Buday, Vancouver, GVRD(Paine Cnty), Coastal Lwr Mainland BC(State of Neo Sumer), U.S. of Eh!		 
E Archer NYC---The two words democracy and does not appear in the constitution. republic is in the pledge of allegiance , of which there are many that claim to be the parent of that written verse. How many countries can you name other than RUSSIA that are REPUBLICS ?
 -- Ray, Dallas County Texas		 
Ray, dozens of countries call themselves republics: the People's Republic of China, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Honduras, the Dominican Republic, etc.. John Adams published a great comparison of the republics of his time -- check out Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, 1787
 -- Editor, Liberty Quotes		 
Bookmark and Share
Rate this quote!
How many stars?
0
1
2
3
4
5
 
What do YOU think?
Your name:
Your town:
    CLICK JUST ONCE!

  
Get a Quote-A-Day! Free!
Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box.
Email:
 
This site is supported
by donors like you!

More Quotations

Read the Bills Act Coalition
Quotes & Quotations - Send This Quote to a Friend

© 1998-2008 Liberty-Tree.ca