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And the principle which distinguishes democracy from all other forms of government is that in a democracy the opposition not only is tolerated as constitutional but must be maintained because it is in fact indispensable.
Walter Lippmann
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Democracy requires the presence of opposition to function properly.

This quote emphasizes that a fundamental characteristic of democracy is the necessity of opposition. In a democratic system, dissent is not only allowed but is essential for the health of the society, as it fosters debate, accountability, and diverse viewpoints, which are critical for informed decision-making and progress.

Themes

DemocracyOppositionGovernmentToleranceDebateAccountability

In practice

Example use cases

Use this quote in a discussion about the importance of free speech in democratic societies.

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Football strategy does not originate in a scrimmage: it is useless to expect solutions in a political campaign.
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The private citizen, beset by partisan appeals for the loan of his Public Opinion, will soon see, perhaps, that these appeals are not a compliment to his intelligence, but an imposition on his good nature and an insult to his sense of evidence.
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