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Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
Isaac Asimov
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Overpopulation threatens the stability and function of democratic societies.

Isaac Asimov's quote highlights the critical relationship between population dynamics and the viability of democracy. When a population grows beyond sustainable limits, it can lead to resource scarcity, social unrest, and a breakdown of democratic processes, thus conforming to the idea that democracy relies on a balance between population size and available resources.

Themes

DemocracyOverpopulationSocietyResourcesPolitics

In practice

Example use cases

During a debate on sustainable development, one might quote Asimov to emphasize the need for population control measures.

More from Isaac Asimov

Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, but it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies.
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Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.
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A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
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During the century after Newton, it was still possible for a man of unusual attainments to master all fields of scientific knowledge. But by 1800, this had become entirely impracticable.
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To bring about destruction by overcrowding, mass starvation, anarchy, the destruction of our most cherished values, there is no need to do anything. We need only do nothing except what comes naturally, and breed. And how easy it is to do nothing
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Quote by Isaac Asimov | QuoteProject