We should stop going around babbling about how we're the greatest democracy on earth, when we're not even a democracy. We are a sort of militarised republic.
Interpretation
This quote criticizes the self-perception of a nation as a democracy while highlighting its militarized nature.
Gore Vidal's quote underscores the irony of a society that champions its democratic principles while failing to live up to them. He argues that instead of boasting about its democratic status, it is more accurate to recognize the militaristic and authoritarian elements that exist within the political structure, suggesting a need for greater honesty and introspection regarding its governance.
In practice
In a debate about the state of democracy in modern politics, you might reference this quote to challenge the notion of American exceptionalism.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
Secrecy and a free, democratic government don't mix.
As we speak, Iran has rolled back its nuclear program, shipped out its uranium stockpile, and the world has avoided another war.
We mean by 'politics' the people's business - the most important business there is.
As long as the government's actions are secret, it cannot be held accountable. A government for the people and by the people should be transparent to the people.
Greece wishes to be part of the eurozone, but it must, of course, go through with the necessary reforms to make this happen.
Wealthy individuals bought themselves a radical right party, believing - correctly - that it would cut their taxes and remove regulations, but failed to realize that eventually the craziness would take on a life of its own, and that the monster they created would turn on its creators as well as the little people.
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