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 Kennedy Administration's public pronouncements on the matter suggested that the presence of Soviet nuclear missiles in Castro's Cuba would represent an unacceptable strategic threat to the United States. . . . This urgent transformation of Cuba into an important strategic base - by the presence of these large, long-range, and clearly offensive weapons of sudden mass-destruction - constitutes an explicit threat to the peace and security of all the Americas. . . .
The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE. The streams of national power ought to flow from that pure, original fountain of all legitimate authority.
In a country where the sole employer is the State, opposition means death by slow starvation. The old principle: who does not work shall not eat, has been replaced by a new one: who does not obey shall not eat.
In contrast to totalitarianism, democracy can face and live with the truth about itself.
The defense budget is more than a piggy bank for people who want to get busy beating swords into pork barrels.
"I criticize America because I love her. I want her to stand as a moral example to the world."
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