The principle of majority rule is the mildest form in which the force of numbers can be exercised. It is a pacific substitute for civil war in which the opposing armies are counted and the victory is awarded to the larger before any blood is shed. Except in the sacred tests of democracy and in the incantations of the orators, we hardly take the trouble to pretend that the rule of the majority is not at bottom a rule of force.

Famous Quotes / Walter Lippmann

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Walter Lippmann: "The principle of majority rule is the mildest form in which the force of numbers can be exercised. It is a pacific substitute for civil war in which the opposing armies are counted and the victory is awarded to the larger before any blood is shed. Except in the sacred tests of democracy and in the incantations of the orators, we hardly take the trouble to pretend that the rule of the majority is not at bottom a rule of force."

Quotations about

Armies	Awarded	Blood	Bottom
Civil	Counted	Democracy	Except
Exercised	Force	Form	Hardly
Incantations	Larger	Majority	Mildest
Numbers	Opposing	Orators	Pacific
Pretend	Principle	Rule	Sacred
Shed	Substitute	Take	Tests
Trouble	Victory

Quotes by Power Quotations

The principle of majority rule is the mildest form in which the force of numbers can be exercised. It is a pacific substitute for civil war in which the opposing armies are counted and the victory is awarded to the larger before any blood is shed. Except in the sacred tests of democracy and in the incantations of the orators, we hardly take the trouble to pretend that the rule of the majority is not at bottom a rule of force. - Walter Lippmann