Quote by James Madison
A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both.
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Summary
This quote emphasizes the essential role of an informed citizenry in a successful democracy. It suggests that without access to reliable and comprehensive information, a government that claims to be "popular" is doomed to become a mere spectacle, either comically absurd or devastatingly tragic. The quote implies that without an educated and engaged populace equipped with the tools to gather information, a government's actions may become questionable or even dangerous. It underscores the importance of transparency, open communication, and the dissemination of information in maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of democratic governance.