The moral and social aspiration proper to American life is, of course, the aspiration vaguely described by the word democratic; and the actual achievement of the American nation points towards an adequate and fruitful definition of the democratic ideal.

Quote by Herbert Croly

Topics: Herbert Croly Quotes

Democracy may mean something more than a theoretically absolute popular government, but it assuredly cannot...

Democracy may mean something more than a theoretically absolute popular government, but it assuredly cannot...

The popular will cannot be taken for granted, it must be created.

The popular will cannot be taken for granted, it must be created.

Let it be immediately added, however, that this economic independence and prosperity has always been...

Let it be immediately added, however, that this economic independence and prosperity has always been...

Our country was thereby saved from the consequences of its distracting individualistic conception of democracy,...

Our country was thereby saved from the consequences of its distracting individualistic conception of democracy,...

When the Promise of American life is conceived as a national ideal, whose fulfillment is...

When the Promise of American life is conceived as a national ideal, whose fulfillment is...

Unless the great majority of Americans not only have, but believe they have, a fair...

Unless the great majority of Americans not only have, but believe they have, a fair...

The years between 1800 and 1825 were distinguished, so far as our domestic development was...

The years between 1800 and 1825 were distinguished, so far as our domestic development was...

Of course, Americans have no monopoly of patriotic enthusiasm and good faith.

Of course, Americans have no monopoly of patriotic enthusiasm and good faith.

I am not a prophet in any sense of the word, and I entertain an...

I am not a prophet in any sense of the word, and I entertain an...

The Constitution was the expression not only of a political faith, but also of political...

The Constitution was the expression not only of a political faith, but also of political...

In Jefferson's mind democracy was tantamount to extreme individualism.

In Jefferson's mind democracy was tantamount to extreme individualism.

The American economic, political, and social organization has given to its citizens the benefits of...

The American economic, political, and social organization has given to its citizens the benefits of...

The higher American patriotism, on the other hand, combines loyalty to historical tradition and precedent...

The higher American patriotism, on the other hand, combines loyalty to historical tradition and precedent...

American history contains much matter for pride and congratulation, and much matter for regret and...

American history contains much matter for pride and congratulation, and much matter for regret and...

The average American is nothing if not patriotic.

The average American is nothing if not patriotic.

The combination of Federalism and Republicanism which formed the substance of the system, did not...

The combination of Federalism and Republicanism which formed the substance of the system, did not...

So far I, at least, have no fault to find with implications of Hamilton's Federalism,...

So far I, at least, have no fault to find with implications of Hamilton's Federalism,...

When Jefferson and the Republicans rallied to the Union and to the existing Federalist organization,...

When Jefferson and the Republicans rallied to the Union and to the existing Federalist organization,...

Had it not been for the Atlantic Ocean and the virgin wilderness, the United States...

Had it not been for the Atlantic Ocean and the virgin wilderness, the United States...

The more consciously democratic Americans became, however, the less they were satisfied with a conception...

The more consciously democratic Americans became, however, the less they were satisfied with a conception...