Atifete Jahjaga Quotes

We've seen over time that countries that have the best economic growth are those that have good governance, and good governance comes from freedom of communication. It comes from ending corruption. It comes from a populace that can go online and say, 'This politician is corrupt, this administrator, or this public official is corrupt.'

Elections alone will never be enough to ensure good governance.

After Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election, I was heartened to see him issue an Open Government Initiative on his first full day in office.

Similarly, gender-equality, supremacy of law, political participation, civil society, and transparency are among the indispensable elements that are the imperatives of democratization.

In the 21st century, the countries that thrive will be the ones where citizens know their voices will be heard because the institutions are transparent.

We should insist that governments receiving American aid live up to standards of accountability and transparency, and we should support countries that embrace market reforms, democracy, and the rule of law.

After all, I have spent the better part of my adult life insisting that government be open... that government be accessible... and that government be held accountable to people who voted us into office.

Obama has already rejected the bright sunlight of public knowledge, which is democracy's great disinfectant and cure.

I promise, before God and my community, to seek reforms so that the powerful and corrupt are no longer above the law.

The difference between a democracy and other forms of government is not that in a democracy bad things do not happen. The difference is that in a democracy something will be done about it and someone will be held to account.

Nobody is immune to corruption. The difference is in how the society responds to corruption. Are the corrupt in jail as they are in Israel and most democracies. Or are they leaders in the government as in Palestine under the PLO.

Large power distances in a society mean fewer checks and balances and stronger temptation for power holders to illegally enrich themselves. Enlightened rulers can impose checks where traditional culture does not provide them

Government is like an undershirt. If you don't change it frequently, it begins to stink.

Democracy is not elections. Democracy includes elections.

In a democracy, power implies responsibility.

For democracy to triumph, the natural predatory tendencies of rulers must be restrained by rigorous rules and impartial institutions.

Democracy is far more than merely participating in free and fair elections for a new government. It is about playing by a set of rules, respecting those rules and accepting the result even when it may not be what one had hoped for.

I have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed, confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of law; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are Human Rights.

All politicians will have to change to be worthy of our people.

Democracies stand on several key pillars: Free and fair elections, human rights, the rule of law, and a free untrammeled media. Until 2016, an open media was seen as a resilient democratic pillar that supported the others.

What makes our country unique is its commitment to being open, to making its leaders accountable.

The American people deserve their government to be open and accountable.

If I were to say anything to people I may say people should vote for those who are respectful to democracy, rule of law, who get on well with people.

But there will be no justice, there will be no government of the people, by the people, and for the people, as long as the government and its officials permit bribery in any form.

What should be targeted is a concept of organic, and not just mechanic, democracy that preserves the rule of law, separation of powers, and that is participatory and pluralistic.