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A democracy is a government in the hands of men of low birth, no property, and vulgar employments.
Aristotle
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Aristotle critiques democracy, suggesting it often allows those of lower social status to govern.

In this quote, Aristotle points out a fundamental criticism of democratic systems, emphasizing that power can fall into the hands of individuals who lack wealth and social standing. He suggests that such a governance structure may lead to decisions that are more aligned with populist sentiments rather than the informed judgment of the elite, hence raising concerns about the quality of leadership in a democracy.

Themes

DemocracyGovernanceAristotlePoliticsCritique

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate on political systems, one might quote Aristotle to discuss the limitations of democracy.

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