Democracy: An existential system in which words are more important than actions. Not a judgmental system.
Democracy is not intended to be efficient, linear, logical, cheap, the source of absolute truth, manned by angels, saints or virgins, profitable, the justification for any particular economic system, a simple matter of majority rule or for that matter a simple matter of majorities. Nor is it an administrative procedure, patriotic, a reflection of tribalism, a passive servant of either law or regulation, elegant or particularly charming.
Democracy is the only system capable of reflecting the humanist principle of equilibrium or balance, The key to its secret is the involvement of the citizen.
Excerpted from: Saul, John Ralston.The Doubter’s Companion. New York: The Free Press, 1994.
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