Lewis D. Eigen Quotes

If we are to build grassroots respect for the institutions and processes that constitute democracy, the state must treat its citizens as real citizens rather than as subjects.

The development of democracy is very much a matter of education and of progressing step by step.

There is a real diversity of talent and background on the A list so as to better reflect our society in all walks. There are people who have been candidates before, Councillors, Doctors, business leaders, charity campaigners.

Anyone who wants to be part of the political process should adopt values that are compatible with democracy.

The whole thing about elections in Liberia - it's not about the way you take care of people, it's not about the heart, it's about education, according to the perception of some people.

If you don't have a democracy in which most people feel engaged, you don't have a democracy very long.

We need to learn democracy. Everything takes time.

Americans of all ages, all stations of life, and all types of disposition are forever forming associations... In democratic countries knowledge of how to combine is the mother of all other forms of knowledge; on its progress depends that of all the others.

It is not suffrage that gives life to democracy; it is our democratic society that gives life to suffrage.

If we are honest with ourselves today, we will acknowledge that the ideal of Democracy has never failed, but that we haven't carried it out, and in our lack of faith we have debased the human being who must have a chance to live if Democracy is to be successful.

Institutionalizing dissent in our agencies moves us toward a healthier democracy and helps fulfill our founders' vision.

Democracy is not what we don't want. Democracy is what we do want. It is a set of affirmative values by which we can move forward. If we cannot insert our values into our vote, and our vote is simply against what we fear most, then we are a ship lost at sea.

Public conversations about who we are and who we want to be are key to the vitality of our democracy, and leaders can seed those conversations when they speak out their own views.

Not less, but more democracy - that is the demand, that is the great goal that we have to prescribe for ourselves, and especially for our youth.

Democracy is not just voting for your leaders; it's really premised upon ordinary citizens understanding the issues.

Democracy as a promise means that society can never be just enough and that the self-reflection and struggles that enable all members of the community to participate in the decisions and institutions that shape their lives must be continually debated, safeguarded, and preserved at all costs.

The rights of democracy are not reserved for a select group within society, they are the rights of all the people.

I want to make democracy work not only for the rich and the well connected but for everyone.

I believe that everyone should participate in democracy and enjoy doing it.

One of our most noble political tasks is to open up trust.

I believe that voting is the first act of building a community as well as building a country.

They have not always elected the best leaders, particularly after a long period in which they have not used this facility of free election. You tend to lose the habit.

Texas has a lot of challenges, but if I choose to run I will talk about opening democracy to mainstream Texans and not just to a closed circle of entrenched ideologues.

And they understand that to be an effective member of a democracy, you have to accept responsibility.

I want people to learn what democracy means.