#democracy

I am a democrat [proponent of democracy] because I believe in the Fall of Man. I think most people are democrats for the opposite reason. A great deal of democratic enthusiasm descends from the ideas of people like Rousseau, who believed in democracy because they thought mankind so wise and good that every one deserved a share in the government. The danger of defending democracy on those grounds is that they’re not true. . . . I find that they’re not true without looking further than myself. I don’t deserve a share in governing a hen-roost. Much less a nation. . . . The real reason for democracy is just the reverse. Mankind is so fallen that no man can be trusted with unchecked power over his fellows. Aristotle said that some people were only fit to be slaves. I do not contradict him. But I reject slavery because I see no men fit to be masters. ↗

— C.S. Lewis

#democracy #slavery #men

If there were a nation of Gods, it would govern itself democratically. A government so perfect is not suited to men. ↗

— Jean-Jacques Rousseau

#government #politics #men

Were the judgments of mankind correct, custom would be regulated by the good. But it is often far otherwise in point of fact; for, whatever the many are seen to do, forthwith obtains the force of custom. But human affairs have scarcely ever been so happily constituted as that the better course pleased the greater number. Hence the private vices of the multitude have generally resulted in public error, or rather that common consent in vice which these worthy men would have to be law. ↗

— John Calvin

#god #government #men

The only way we'll get freedom for ourselves is to identify ourselves with every oppressed people in the world. We are blood brothers to the people of Brazil, Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba -- yes Cuba too. ↗

— Malcolm X

#democracy #freedom #history #hope #individualism

Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. ↗

— Martin Luther King Jr.

#democracy #freedom #liberation #love #marxism

Gandhi is the other person. I believe Gandhi is the only person who knew about real democracy — not democracy as the right to go and buy what you want, but democracy as the responsibility to be accountable to everyone around you. Democracy begins with freedom from hunger, freedom from unemployment, freedom from fear, and freedom from hatred. To me, those are the real freedoms on the basis of which good human societies are based. ↗

— Vandana Shiva

#freedom

Being democratic is not enough, a majority cannot turn what is wrong into right. In order to be considered truly free, countries must also have a deep love of liberty and an abiding respect for the rule of law. ↗

— Margaret Thatcher

#freedom #law #liberty #respect #right

In order every one in our homeland learns principles of democracy and the peaceful transition of power, and in order to stabilize and develop multiple choices in democratic practice. ↗

— Ali A. Saleh

#democracy #democratic #develop #every #homeland

We have accepted the principle of democracy and we are committed to respect the popular verdict and the result of that national consultation. ↗

— Mahmoud Abbas

#committed #consultation #democracy #national #popular

If a jerk burns the flag, America is not threatened, democracy is not under siege, freedom is not at risk. ↗

— Gary Ackerman

#burns #democracy #flag #freedom #jerk