“[It’s] a republic, if you can keep it.”
— Benjamin Franklin‘s reply, when he was asked after a session of the Constitutional Convention, “What kind of a government have you given us?”
Benjamin Franklin was considered a great thinker and philosopher. He is one of the creators of democracy as we know it. Democracy is an important system for maintaining order, but it can also be flawed. He is quoted as saying a variety of things about democracy, including its importance and potential flaws. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of his most interesting thoughts on democracy.
Franklin felt that democracies were more stable and efficient than other forms of government, and he outlined his reasons in a series of quotes that are as relevant today as they were over 200 years ago.
He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and served as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest person to sign the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Franklin’s quotes on democracy offer a unique perspective on what democracy means and how it can be improved. If you’re interested in learning more about Franklin’s thoughts on democracy, or if you just want to learn more about this important topic, then keep reading.
Benjamin Franklin Quotes On Democracy:
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what they are going to have for lunch.“–
George Carlin, quoting Benjamin Franklin
“When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.“
– Benjamin Franklin
“I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government, but what may be a blessing to the people if well-administered; and believe further, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.“
– Benjamin Franklin
“Those who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
– Benjamin Franklin
“An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages” that every one “is entitled to and ought to enjoy.”
– Benjamin Franklin
“Without Freedom of thought there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech.”
– Benjamin Franklin
“Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.”
– Benjamin Franklin
Conclusion: The term “democracy“ is from the Greek language meaning “rule by the people:“ people (demos) and rule (kratos). Democracy is the idea that the citizens of a country should take an active role in the government of their country and manage it directly or through elected representatives. In addition, it supports the idea that the people can replace their government through peaceful transfers of power rather than violent uprising or revolution. Thus, a key part of democracy is that the people have a voice. The only way democracy works is that everyone participates. With voter suppression being rampant in the United States, people must decide that their freedom is important and make the extra effort to vote. Your vote will guarantee that democracy lives on.
Citation: https://www.quotegeeks.com/benjamin-franklin-democracy-quotes, https://www.happybetterwiser.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin-quotes/
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/democracy-ancient-greece