Tocqueville, referencing the ancient origins of democracy and its downfall:

“Almost before anyone was aware of [Democracy’s] existence, it seized power unexpectedly. From then on each man has abjectly catered to the least of its desires. Once it was worshiped as the very image of force. Later, after its strength had been sapped by its own excesses, legislators imprudently sought to destroy it rather than educate and discipline it. Instead of teaching it to govern, they thought of only expelling it from government.”

Those last two sentences are a bit eerie, if you consider (more…)