American influence in the world depends on the ability to act with real capacity and set an example that others will want to follow. This all takes resources.
Richard N. HaassRead
Democracy requires an informed citizenry able to question its government.
Interpretation
Democracy relies on citizens being knowledgeable and willing to hold their government accountable.
This quote emphasizes the essential role that an educated and aware populace plays in a democracy. It suggests that for a democratic system to function properly, citizens must not only be informed but also possess the critical thinking skills necessary to challenge and question their governmentβs actions, ensuring that it remains accountable to the people it serves.
In practice
In a civic education class to emphasize the importance of informed voting.
American influence in the world depends on the ability to act with real capacity and set an example that others will want to follow. This all takes resources.
There is no getting around the reality that the second Iraq war was a war of choice; had it been carried out differently, it still would have been an expensive choice and almost certainly a bad one.
Nationalism is a tool increasingly used by leaders to bolster their authority, especially amid difficult economic and political conditions.
What countries must do to join the World Trade Organization is precisely what they must do to become productive and democratic: accept the rule of law, reduce corruption, and become open, accountable, and transparent.
Terrorism needs to be de-legitimized in the way that slavery has been. Doing so will make governments and individuals think twice before becoming a party to terrorism; it should also make it less difficult to garner support for international action against those who nevertheless carry it out.
The political world is defined by relationships rather than transactions, and by numerous actors at home and abroad with independent power. Navigating such a world is difficult and precarious.
China is a vast, disparate country; there is no alternative to strong central power.
If they think they have issues with the president not doing enough for the poor now, wait and see what happens if the opposition takes office. Then they would really need a poverty tour.
If there is ever to be an end to the conflict, the Palestinians must recognize the Jewish people's right to a homeland and the existence of an independent Jewish state in the homeland of the Jewish people.
The chief internal enemies of any state are not spies nor saboteurs nor the paid agents of foreign governments. They are, on the contrary, those myriads of public officials who betray the trust imposed upon them by the people.
Abstention means you stayed at home or went to the beach. By casting a blank vote, you're saying you have a political conscience but you don't agree with any of the existing parties.
Beware the military-industrial complex.
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