Mahatma Gandhi on Democracy

There is no human institution but has its dangers. The greater the institution the greater the chances of abuse. Democracy is a great institution and therefore it is liable to be greatly abused. The remedy, therefore, is not avoidance of democracy but reduction of possibility of abuse to a minimum.

Young India, 7.5.1931

 

A popular state can never act in advance of public opinion. If it goes against it, it will be destroyed.

Young India, 30.7.1931

Legislation in advance of public opinion is often worse than useless.

Young India, 29-1-1921

 

The democracy or the Swaraj of masses can never come through untruthful and violent means, for the simple reason that the natural corollary to their use would be to remove all opposition through the suppression or extermination of the antagonists.

Harijan, 27.5.1939

 

My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest. That can never happen except through non-violence.

Harijan, 18.5.1940

 

True democracy cannot be worked by twenty men sitting at the centre. It has to be worked from below by the people of every village.

 

Harijan, 18.1.1948

I would dance with joy if I had to give up politics

 

Public opinion alone can keep a society pure and healthy

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