Quote of the day: Alan Barth on dissent and majorities

Alan Barth, the American journalist and civil liberties writer, wrote in his 1951 book 'The Loyalty of Free Men' that thought which is silenced is always rebellious. He argued that majorities are often mistaken, and silencing minorities is necessarily dangerous because criticism and dissent are the indispensable antidote to major delusions.

Barth, an editorial writer at The Washington Post for three decades, challenged the assumption that being in the majority means being right. He contended that suppressing disagreement can make an opposing idea more resistant and more deeply held, and that minority views can draw attention to flaws that the majority has overlooked.

The quote, published by Deccan Herald on the day of this story, presents dissent not as a threat to society but as an important part of a healthy democratic culture. No further action follows from the quote.