I felt that no boy should have to depend either for his leg or his life upon the ability of his parents to raise enough money to bring a first-class surgeon to his bedside.
Tommy DouglasRead
Fascism begins the moment a ruling class, fearing the people may use their political democracy to gain economic democracy, begins to destroy political democracy in order to retain its power of exploitation and special privilege.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote illustrates how a ruling class may undermine democracy to protect their own interests.
Tommy Douglas's quote emphasizes that fascism emerges when those in power feel threatened by the potential of the populace to achieve economic equality through democratic means. In their fear of losing privilege and control, this ruling class may resort to dismantling the democratic processes, thereby exploiting and oppressing the very people they govern.
Themes
FascismDemocracyPowerExploitationPrivilege
In practice
Example use cases
In a political debate about the importance of protecting democracy against authoritarianism.
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