Quote by James Fenimore Cooper

The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity.

The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity

Summary

This quote suggests that democracies have a natural inclination towards being average or ordinary. It suggests that in striving for consensus and accommodating a wide range of opinions, democracies often find it challenging to make bold or exceptional decisions. The pursuit of compromise and appeasement might result in decisions that are less ambitious or groundbreaking in nature, favoring a middle ground approach. This notion highlights a potential downside of democratic systems, suggesting that they may hinder exceptionalism or greatness in certain aspects.

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By James Fenimore Cooper

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