"Where annual elections end where slavery begins"
- John Quincy Adams
About this Quote
John Quincy Adams' quote is an effective declaration about the value of democracy and the risks of authoritarianism. He is saying that when a nation holds annual elections, it is a sign of a healthy democracy. However, when a country does not hold elections, or when elections are not totally free and fair, it suggests a nation that is in risk of ending up being a servant state. Adams is alerting that when a nation does not have the right to pick its leaders, it is in danger of ending up being a nation where individuals are not free. He is emphasizing the importance of democracy and the requirement for residents to be able to select their leaders in order to guarantee their flexibility. Adams' quote is a pointer of the significance of democracy and the need to secure it.
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