Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Today's Word—Mobocracy

Democracy Defined?

“A government of the masses. Authority derived through mass meeting or any other form of ‘direct’ expression. Results in mobocracy. Attitude toward property is communistic—negating property rights. Attitude toward law is that the will of the majority shall regulate, whether is be based upon deliberation or governed by passion, prejudice, and impulse, without restraint or regard to consequences. Results in demogogism, license, agitation, discontent, anarchy.”
U.S. War Department Training Manual No. 2000-25, November 1928 (since withdrawn).

(Thanks to alert WORDster Greg Fasolt)

1 comment:

  1. I'm a high-school journalism teacher, and I shared this posting with our AP government teacher. My how things have changed! -- Denise

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