May 13, 2025

All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.

Alfred E. Smith (1873-1944), American politician, speech in Albany, New York, 27 June 1933, Jay p.343

Does it not follow then that democracy takes ill when it is restrained? When voting is suppressed?

This is a proposition being tested in our own time, the Brexit referendum being a good (or bad?) example when more democracy takes the form of a plebiscite.