> "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the
> average voter."
That is not Churchill.
>From my book of quotations ("Churchill by Himself"), the "Red Herrings
Appendix, page 573:
'The best argument against Democracy is a five minute conversation
with the average voter.'
--Commonly quoted, but without attribution. Though he sometimes
despaired of democracy’s slowness to act for its own preservation,
Churchill had a much more positive attitude towards the average voter.
See Chapter 21, Political Theory and Practice…Democracy.
>From Chapter 21, Democracy, pp 383-84, here are the first three
entries (there are many more). You may like the third one. He was
around long enough to say something everybody liked...
'If I had to sum up the immediate future of democratic politics in a
single word I should say “insurance.” That is the future—insurance
against dangers from abroad, insurance against dangers scarcely less
grave and much more near and constant which threaten us here at home
in our own island.'
--1909, 23 May. Free Trade Hall, Manchester
Whatever one may think about democratic government, it is just as well
to have practical experience of its rough and slatternly foundations.
--1929, October, "The Earl of Rosebery" in PALL MALL; rep. GREAT
CONTEMPORARIES, 6.
'Democracy as a guide or motive to progress has long been known to be
incompetent. None of the legislative assemblies of the
great modern states represents in universal suffrage even a fraction
of the strength or wisdom of the community. Great nations are
no longer led by their ablest men, or by those who know most about
their immediate affairs, or even by those who have a coherent
doctrine. Democratic governments drift along the line of least
resistance, taking short views, paying their way with sops and doles,
and smoothing their path with pleasant-sounding platitudes. Never was
there less continuity or design in their affairs, and yet toward them
are coming swiftly changes which will revolutionize for good or ill
not only the whole economic structure
of the world but the social habits and moral outlook of every family.
…'
--1931, December, "Fifty Years Hence," STRAND MAGAZINE, rep. in
THOUGHTS AND ADVENTURES. Churchill’s vaunted faith in democracy was
not total. In this famous essay he identifies and worries over
democracy’s inability to make the right decisions every time.
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"ChurchillChat" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/ChurchillChat?hl=en
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
