If you want to raise a crop for one year, plant corn. If you want to raise a crop for decades, plant trees. If you want to raise a crop for centuries, raise men. If you want to raise a crop for eternity, raise democracies.
Ari Weinzweig uses this quote by Carl Schenk, a German-born forester who developed techniques for modern forestry in the late 19th and early 20th century, to underscore the challenge that we face in building and maintaining democracies. Ari is co-founder of the internationally renowned Zingerman’s Community of Businesses and a prolific author of books, pamphlets and essays on business and the human condition. (He is also a friend.)
As Ari writes in his new pamphlet Why Democracy Matters, he, like so many of the Boomer generation – including me – was raised to take democracy for granted. Today, such nonchalance – born of the fact that American democracy did work well – lies at the heart of its current threat. That is, when you take your eye off the ball – and do not invest in making it work – it can erode governance “of the people, by the people, and for the people” into governance of, for and by those who would use it for their own interests rather than the common good.
Principles of democracy
Ari offers some practical wisdom on integrating democracy into our lives. His stance is not partisan; it is rooted in the idea that democracy is worth investing in because, when it works well, it creates a more equal and just society.
To begin, Ari grounds his thoughts on democracy in the principle of Deep Understanding, a concept developed by author-business philosopher Carol Sanford. The concept of Deep Understanding is rooted in exploring and understanding a topic and leveraging that understanding to influence (and in some cases, lead).
With that as a foundation, Ari proposes a 12-point outline of what democracy is and how it can be practiced. Let me synthesize a few of these points.
- Democracy is about 100% commitment from everyone.
- Democracy is about engaging diversity and active inclusion, which can only happen when you have effective conversations and the holistic application of equity. That is, democracy includes and rewards those who participate.
- Democracy is built upon positive beliefs. And its practice enables us to exercise our autonomy and say No! (That is, we pull together, but we also have the right to voice dissent.)
- Democracy requires a shared sense of purpose, reinforced by the concept of love. Yes, love, because it is love that is fundamental to respect for others and the recognition of the dignity of others – including those with whom we disagree.
Ari concludes his description of these points by saying, “All 12 of these [principles] help clarify the work we can – and might – do. They do not, however, lend themselves to a neat, simplistic, elevator pitch explanation. Democracy, when it comes down to it, is hard to describe.” In short, it takes work and a lot of practice.
Practice of democracy
For Ari, democracy is not theoretical. He is co-founder with his business partner, Paul Saginaw, of the Zingerman Community of Businesses. Established in 1982, first as a deli, the enterprise now includes a bakery, a creamery, a coffee shop, a restaurant and a mail order business. True to his beliefs, he and Saginaw practice democratic principles in their business. Open book management is fundamental, as are generous benefit plans, including employee ownership.
Concluding this treatise on democracy is a quote from historian Heather Cox Richardson. “The whole point of democracy is that it’s never finished.” It is a work in progress that needs the push-and-pull of its stakeholders to engage with it and make it work for the betterment of the common good.
First posted on LinkedIn 06.20.2026