Quotes About Democracy

Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the forces of terrorism.

It's true that General Musharraf opposes my return, seeing me as a symbol of democracy in the country. He is comfortable with dictatorship. I hope better sense prevails.

The next few months are critical to Pakistan's future direction as a democratic state committed to promoting peace, fighting terrorism and working for social justice.

I call the brave to the battle-line, I call the sane to the council -- I call the free millions of earth to the century ahead -- the century of the common man, established by you, the people. For this world cannot endure, half slave and half free.

Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy. You in America will see that some day.

Democracy is a kingless regime infested by many kings who are sometimes more exclusive, tyrannical and destructive than one, even if he be a tyrant.

Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy.

That fatal drollery called a representative government.

No Government can be long secure without a formidable Opposition.

This is a country for, of, and by the people not for, of, and by the government. If we turn it over to them we cannot complain about what they're doing because this is a natural course of men and we have to hold their feet to the fire.

The world is weary of statesmen whom democracy has degraded into politicians.

A republic, if you can keep it.

A democracy is two wolves and a small lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Freedom under a constitutional republic is a well armed lamb contesting the vote. (Misattributed)

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!

Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.

A Republic Madam...if you can keep it.

Ohne Gedankenfreiheit gibt es keine Weisheit. Und ohne Redefreiheit keine öffentliche Freiheit.

In free governments the rulers are the servants.

Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such thing as Wisdom; and no such thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech.

Our mission is not to impose our peculiar institutions upon other nations by physical force or diplomatic treachery but rather by internal peace and prosperity to solve the problem of self-government and reconcile democratic freedom with national stability.

Democracy: The state of affairs in which you consent to having your pocket picked, and elect the best man to do it.

I think that having 24 people around the Cabinet table whose future depends upon maintaining the good will of one man is fundamentally undemocratic and it would be far better if Cabinet ministers were accountable to the Parliamentary Labour Party.

Democracy is what we do here and now, and not what somebody else does for us, later, when they get into the seats of power.

More and more communists are coming to realize that socialism without democracy is no socialism at all.... I believe that the next decade will see the growth in democratic socialism against the ideas of monetarism and corporation.