"It is almost universally felt that when we call a country democratic we are praising it; consequently, the defenders of every kind of regime claim that it is a democracy, and fear that they might have to stop using the word if it were tied down to any one meaning"
- George Orwell
About this Quote
This quote by George Orwell speaks with the power of language and how it can be utilized to control and control. He is suggesting that the word "democracy" has been used to explain a range of routines, even those that are not really democratic. This is carried out in order to give the impression that the routine is genuine and desirable. By declaring that a country is democratic, its defenders can avoid criticism and preserve their power. Orwell is cautioning us to be familiar with how language is used to manipulate and manage, and to be careful not to be taken in by such strategies.
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