"Democracy, which began by liberating man politically,
has developed a dangerous tendency to enslave him through
the tyranny of majorities and the deadly power of their opinion."
by:
Ludwig Lewisohn
(1883-1955)
Source:
The Modern Drama, 1915
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Reader comments about this quote:
It started with good intentions but as we see, it leads to tyranny when unchecked. All the elite need is a malleable majority to rule. Its just a matter of time on how long it takes before it breaks down.
 -- classical liberal, MN     
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    "Democracy", never began by liberating man politically ! As classical liberal alluded to above - 'democracy' always commences with good intentions. Democracy, from inception and by design, develops dangerous systems to enslave through the tyranny of majorities and the deadly power of their opinion

     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    I don't think we have to worry about majorities anymore as propaganda is the key to win any mindless decision and then they use democracy (majorities) to implement their devilish deeds..
     -- Robert, Somewhere in Europe     
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     -- Jim k, Austin      
    It Came not at the power of their word, but at the power of their gun ! It will return the same way, by the taking back of authority, power and reestablishment of sound principle and statue. Sowing of discord by way of democracy, is the down fall of any society. The power of publishing and media, the tools to help or corrupt. That is why a strict adherence to Oath and of consequences, enabled and executed ! Let each branch know of the consequences and consider their loss at stake. ! It is a life or death situation, not a video game to be trifled with. That is realty up close and personal. The Elders knowing the fight to come, preferred not to be around. Liberty has become the outcast of majority. Tyrants Beware.
     -- Ronw13, Yachats Or     
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    Subjects of oppression will rally behind the idea of 'democracy' to cast off the current tyrant's shackles. With the monarch and aristocracy dead, and their lands and property seized by the military power that did the killing, does the military leader give up power? The French Revolution is a good example.

    But in a 'democracy' where the majority rules, no matter whether they are wise or foolish, the media conglomerates wield incredible amounts of power through 'opinion-making' and political propaganda. They are paid by ALL politicians to be their 'publicists.' TV shows and movie plot lines and characters are chosen/developed that promote the current mind set desired in the 'consumers' to not only salivate on command, but to condition them to accept substitutes for what they really want/need, to remind them of how small and powerless they are and in need of authorities. Success is measured by how many 'listeners' they can get to shout "Bomb 'em!!"
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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