It has been observed that a pure democracy, if it were practicable, would be the most perfect
government. Experience has proved that no position in politics is more false than this.
—Alexander Hamilton, 1788
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.
—Anonymous
13
Democracy is the worst system of government. It reduces wisdom to impotence and secures
the triumph of folly, ignorance, clap-trap and demagogy. [ …] Yet democracy is the only
form of social order that is admissible, because it is the only one consistent with justice.
—Robert Briffault, 1930
No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that
democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.
—Winston Churchill, 1947
In a democracy the majority of citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppression
upon the minority.
—Edmund Burke, 1790
It is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority.
—Lord Acton, 1877
***
The love of democracy is that of equality.
14
—Montesquieu, 1748
‘All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.’
—George Orwell, 1945
Democratic institutions awaken and foster a passion for equality which they can never
satisfy.
—Alexis de Tocqueville, 1893
It is not true that equality is a law of nature. Nature has made nothing equal.
—Luc de Clapiers, 1746
That all men are equal is a proposition to which, at ordinary times, no sane human being has
ever given his assent.
—Aldous Huxley, 1927
A society that puts equality ahead of freedom will end up with neither.
—Milton Friedman, 1980
13
Frequently misattributed to Winston Churchill. For his actual quote on this subject, see below.
14
For me, as a scientist trained to discuss only clearly defined notions, it was always amazing to
see how some authors lacking such training confuse—whether intentionally or unintentionally—
two radically different notions of equality: that of human rights, and the equality (or inequality) of
personal benefits—income, health care, housing—you name it. This confusion allows them to
argue ad infinitum, without any risk of reaching an agreement—see the quotes below.
168
On Government and Politics
government. Experience has proved that no position in politics is more false than this.
—Alexander Hamilton, 1788
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.
—Anonymous
13
Democracy is the worst system of government. It reduces wisdom to impotence and secures
the triumph of folly, ignorance, clap-trap and demagogy. [ …] Yet democracy is the only
form of social order that is admissible, because it is the only one consistent with justice.
—Robert Briffault, 1930
No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that
democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.
—Winston Churchill, 1947
In a democracy the majority of citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppression
upon the minority.
—Edmund Burke, 1790
It is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority.
—Lord Acton, 1877
***
The love of democracy is that of equality.
14
—Montesquieu, 1748
‘All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.’
—George Orwell, 1945
Democratic institutions awaken and foster a passion for equality which they can never
satisfy.
—Alexis de Tocqueville, 1893
It is not true that equality is a law of nature. Nature has made nothing equal.
—Luc de Clapiers, 1746
That all men are equal is a proposition to which, at ordinary times, no sane human being has
ever given his assent.
—Aldous Huxley, 1927
A society that puts equality ahead of freedom will end up with neither.
—Milton Friedman, 1980
13
Frequently misattributed to Winston Churchill. For his actual quote on this subject, see below.
14
For me, as a scientist trained to discuss only clearly defined notions, it was always amazing to
see how some authors lacking such training confuse—whether intentionally or unintentionally—
two radically different notions of equality: that of human rights, and the equality (or inequality) of
personal benefits—income, health care, housing—you name it. This confusion allows them to
argue ad infinitum, without any risk of reaching an agreement—see the quotes below.
168
On Government and Politics