Final answer:
Montesquieu's quote emphasizes the danger of apathetic citizens in a democracy, which is considered more harmful than tyranny in an oligarchy because it undermines the very foundation of rule by the people. Over history, thinkers have debated the weaknesses of different forms of government, with many agreeing that an active and engaged citizenry is vital for the health and stability of a democratic society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote from Montesquieu, "the tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy," illustrates a profound concern for the wellbeing of a democratic society. Montesquieu suggests that while the oppressive actions of a single ruler or a ruling class (an oligarchy) can be dangerous, they are not as harmful as the lack of engagement and concern from the citizens in a democracy. Democratic participation is crucial because the essence of democracy is rule by the people, and when the people are indifferent or disengaged, it leaves the system vulnerable to degradation and the rise of potential tyranny of the majority. This apathy among citizens could lead to the neglect of minority rights and allow for democratic institutions to falter, putting the entire societal structure at risk.
Historically, philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, as well as recent thinkers like Alexis de Tocqueville and the Founding Fathers of the United States, have expressed concerns about the potential excesses and downfalls of democracy. They feared the possibility that majority rule could turn into a 'mobocracy' or a tyranny of the majority, where the rights and well-being of the minority are ignored. To combat the potential corruption by power, a division of power, or a mixed form of government, was proposed by the Founders to mitigate the risks associated with any single form of government.
Montesquieu himself, in The Spirit of the Laws, distinguished between different forms of government, including democracies, which require civic virtue. The general consensus among these thinkers was that a stable democracy depends on an informed and responsible citizenry that is actively engaged in the governance of their society.