Democracy

 A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

The theory of democratic government is not that the will of the people is always right, but rather that normal human beings of average intelligence will, if given a chance, learn the right and best course by bitter experience. -W.E.B. Du Bois, educator, civil rights activist, and writer (23 Feb 1868-1963)

Thanks to Anu Garg for the rebuttal of Mencken's too-cynical view:

“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”

― H.L. Mencken, On Politics: A Carnival of Buncombe

Also: 

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.

Democracy is also a form of worship. It is the worship of jackals by jackasses.

Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage.

Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.

Or Ambrose Bierce's "Democracy is four wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch."

Du Bois shows that for democracy to work, education, including what is broadly known as "civics", is essential. The trouble is that if a sociopath gets a toe-hold in government, he or she can destroy the public education system so that an ignorant populace can be swayed by media controlled by government or the money-men supporting the same.