"You can never have a revolution in order to establish a democracy. You must have a democracy in order to have a revolution"
- Gilbert K. Chesterton
About this Quote
This quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton is a pointer that democracy is a prerequisite for revolution. It indicates that a revolution can not be used to produce a democracy, as a democracy must currently exist in order for a revolution to take place. This is due to the fact that a transformation is a type of protest against an existing system, and without a democracy, there is no system to protest versus. Therefore, in order for a revolution to be successful, it should be based upon a democratic system that allows for the expression of complaints and the pursuit of change. This quote works as a suggestion that democracy is necessary for a successful transformation, which it should be established prior to any revolutionary action can take place.