In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.
Interpretation
Dissent in a democratic society shows confidence in the system's ability to improve.
This quote emphasizes the vital role of dissent within a democracy, suggesting that questioning and opposing governmental actions is not only permitted but essential for fostering improvement and accountability. It highlights the belief that engaging in open dialogue and criticism is a reflection of trust in the democratic process, indicating a commitment to the ideals of democracy rather than mere acceptance of the status quo.
In practice
During a town hall meeting, a citizen might quote this to stress the importance of voicing concerns about local government actions.
International educational exchange is the most significant current project designed to continue the process of humanizing mankind to the point, we would hope, that men can learn to live in peace-eventually even to cooperate in constructive activities rather than compete in a mindless contest of mutual destruction....We must try to expand the boundaries of human wisdom, empathy and perception, and there is no way of doing that except through education.
The price of empire is America's soul, and that price is too high.
Maturity requires a final accommodation between our aspirations and our limitations.
Finally, the Program aims, through these means, to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby to increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.
We have the power to do any damn fool thing we want to do, and we seem to do it about every ten minutes.
The biggest lesson I learned from Vietnam is not to trust [our own] government statements.
The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the goverment.
Yet the basic fact remains: every regulation represents a restriction of liberty, every regulation has a cost. That is why, like marriage (in the Prayer Book's words), regulation should not "be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly"
Controversial disputes are a part of democratic culture.
The abortion cases produced an enormous amount of mail to my chambers, vastly more than to the other chambers, I am sure. I sometimes thought there wasn't a woman in the United States who didn't write me a letter on one side or the other of that issue.
He who uses the office he owes to the voters wrongfully and against them is a thief.
Engaging Iran won't guarantee improved U.S.-Iranian relations or a more stable Gulf region. But not engaging means more of the same.
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