American author and economist Stuart Chase lived from 1888 until 1985. His contributions to the fields of economics and social commentary have earned him the most recognition. He made a well-known but frequently misinterpreted statement in one of his reflections on democracy.

Chase maintained that although many nations claim to practice democracy, very few do so completely or in accordance with its guiding ideals. This concept is comparable to attempting to make a cake using an outdated recipe without using the correct ingredients and all the directions. Democracy fails to provide the promised benefits when it is not fully implemented in accordance with its ideals, much like a half-baked cake doesn't taste quite right.

According to Chase, genuine democracy necessitates respect for individual liberties and rights, openness in governmental operations, and active participation from all citizens. The system is not fully democratic if these components are not present.

Chase's reflection sheds light on a prevalent problem in governance: corruption or real-world constraints frequently cause political systems to fall short of their ideal forms. His remark serves as a reminder that attaining true democracy involves more than just holding elections; it also entails making sure that all democratic ideals are faithfully and consistently upheld.