It would be, in fact, very ominous if Iraq were to be able to get weapon-usable material, hydro-plutonium or highly enriched uranium from abroad.
Mohamed ElbaradeiRead
If a huge number of people call for change, the government will have to react. If you want to avoid uprisings, or demonstrations, you need to respond to the people's desperate need for change.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Governments must listen to the demands of the people to foster stability and avoid unrest.
This quote by Mohamed Elbaradei emphasizes the importance of governmental responsiveness to the demands of its citizens. When a significant portion of the population expresses a need for change, it signals a serious issue that necessitates attention; failure to address such needs can lead to social unrest, including uprisings and demonstrations. Thus, the quote underscores the responsibility of leaders to engage with the public's concerns proactively.
Themes
ChangeGovernmentResponsePublicUprisingDemocracy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a social justice seminar to highlight the importance of government accountability.
More from Mohamed Elbaradei
All quotes →Countries that perceive themselves to be vulnerable can be expected to try to redress that vulnerability - and in some cases, they will pursue clandestine weapons programs.
Mohamed ElbaradeiRead
Egypt needs to catch up with the rest of the world. We need to be free, democratic, and - society where people have the right to live in freedom and dignity.
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I couldn't have imagined that I would live long enough to see Egypt emancipated from decades of repression.
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Psychology is as important as substance. If you treat people with respect, they will go out of their way to accommodate you. If you treat them in a patronizing way, they will go out of their way to make your life difficult.
Mohamed ElbaradeiRead
The gravest threat faced by the world is of an extremist group getting hold of nuclear weapons or materials.
Mohamed ElbaradeiRead
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