WIST QuotationsA quotation from Harry Commager
But if our democracy is to flourish it must have criticism, if our government is to function it must have dissent. Only totalitarian governments insist upon conformity and they — as we know — do so at their peril. Without criticism abuses will go unrebuked; without dissent our dynamic system will become static. The American people have a stake in the maintenance of the most thorough-going inquisition into American institutions. They have a stake in nonconformity, for they know that the American genius is nonconformist.Henry Steele Commager (1902-1998) American historian, writer, activist
Essay (1947-09), “Who Is Loyal to America?” sec. 3, Harper’s Magazine, Vol. 195, No. 1168
More about this quote: wist.info/commager-henry-steel…
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #commager #harrycommager #Americans #criticism #democracy #dissent #feedback #government #nonconformity #selfcorrection #totalitarianism
Commager, Henry Steele - Essay (1947-09), "Who Is Loyal to America?" sec. 3, Harper's Magazine, Vol. 195, No. 1168 | WIST Quotations
But if our democracy is to flourish it must have criticism, if our government is to function it must have dissent. Only totalitarian governments insist upon conformity and they -- as we know -- do so at their peril. Without criticism abuses will go unrebuked; without dissent our dynamic system…