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Why did John Dewey criticize democratic elitism?

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John Dewey, an older man with glasses and a mustache, sits and reads a document, wearing a suit and tie. — John Dewey John Dewey.

John Dewey criticized democratic elitism because he fundamentally rejected the view held by some intellectuals, academics, and political leaders that the general public is incompetent.1

Dewey maintained that only the public itself can determine what constitutes the common good and the public interest. He argued that democracy is not merely a form of government but a "mode of associated life" that relies on the collective intelligence of its citizens. For Dewey, the health of a democracy depends on citizens engaging in critical inquiry, dialogue, and cooperation to solve common problems.12

By dismissing the public's capacity for informed decision-making, democratic elitism undermines the very process of "social intelligence" that Dewey believed was essential for human flourishing. Instead of relying on an elite class, he advocated for education to cultivate the inquisitive habits of mind necessary for all citizens to participate responsibly in public affairs.12