Becoming a reader grows our horizons, our appetite for the good, the true and the beautiful, and our empathy.
Ben SasseRead
Among the responsibilities of each citizen in a participatory democracy is keeping ourselves sufficiently informed so that we can participate effectively, argue our positions honorably, and hopefully, forge sufficient consensus to understand each other and then to govern.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Citizens in a democracy must stay informed to effectively engage and reach consensus.
This quote emphasizes the importance of informed citizenship in a participatory democracy. It suggests that for democracy to function successfully, individuals must educate themselves about issues, argue their viewpoints with integrity, and work towards mutual understanding in order to govern collectively.
Themes
DemocracyCitizenshipParticipationInformedConsensus
In practice
Example use cases
During a town hall meeting to discuss community issues.
More from Ben Sasse
All quotes →The health of our republic depends on shared principles like the First Amendment, but it is also built on the Teddy Roosevelt-like vigor of its citizens and local self-reliance.
Ben SasseRead
Being stuck in adolescence - that's a hell. 'Peter Pan' is a dystopia, and we forget that. Neverland is a bad place to be.
Ben SasseRead
Rising political tribalism, shamelessly exaggerating our opponents' claims or behavior, is leaving us vulnerable: No one loves America's internal fighting - and our increasingly siloed news consumption - more than Vladimir Putin.
Ben SasseRead
Good history is good story-telling. And good story-telling demands empathy; it requires understanding different actors, differing motivations, competing goals.
Ben SasseRead
I don't think that our Founders would believe that America could long prosper if the people were not readers.
Ben SasseRead
Similar quotes
We should be creative, and we should accommodate the needs of every community to open up the democratic process. We should make it easy and accessible for every citizen to participate.
John LewisRead
Our democracy is dependent on people who passionately cherish the ideals of a democracy. Every man is created equal with an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It's a wonderful idea, and it takes people who cherish that idea to be actively involved in the process.
George TakeiRead
In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility.
Norman CousinsRead
Democracy is reproached with saying that the majority is always right. But progress says that the minority is always right.
Gilbert K. ChestertonRead
When you restore democracy, you cannot say that only those who worked for the restoration of democracy will be allowed to use the privileges of a democracy.
Corazon AquinoRead
Am I embarrassed to speak for a less than perfect democracy? Not one bit. Find me a better one. Do I suppose there are societies which are free of sin? No, I don't. Do I think ours is, on balance, incomparably the most hopeful set of human relations the world has? Yes, I do.
Daniel Patrick MoynihanRead