"Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor"

This quote by James Russell Lowell speaks to the paradox of democracy. On the one hand, democracy is a system of federal government that is indicated to protect the rights of the people and ensure that everyone has a voice in the decision-making procedure. On the other hand, democracy also provides people the freedom to make choices that may be detrimental to themselves or to others. In this way, democracy can be seen as a double-edged sword, where people can make decisions that may oppress themselves or others. This quote acts as a tip that democracy is not a perfect system, which individuals need to be mindful of the choices they make and the effects that might follow. It is likewise a pointer that democracy is not a guarantee of flexibility, however rather a system that can be used to oppress or liberate depending upon how it is utilized.