Fernando Henrique Cardoso Quotes

We know from our own history that democratic institutions take decades to mature, and we know from past conflicts that freedom is not free.

Collective freedom is one devoid of material bondage and one that supports the institutions necessary for democracy.

The western mindset erroneously equates a political system of multi-party democracy with high-quality institutions... the two are not synonymous.

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.

A people may be unprepared for good institutions; but to kindle a desire for them is a necessary part of the preparation.

I have always been opposed to illegal changes of our Government or the overthrow of its institutions, whether by force or other illegal means. I have always believed in the democratic processes.

A fanatical belief in democracy makes democratic institutions impossible.

We didn't discover our values in a poll taken a week before the convention.

our rights come from our Creator and it is impossible to define America if you do not talk in public about where your rights come from.

Will Iraq be a democracy? The question is, 'Will America be a democracy?'

We certainly would not want to have the same kind of democracy as they have in Iraq, I can tell you quite honestly.

Our institutions of freedom will not survive unless they are constantly replenished by the faith that gave them birth.

The fight for education and justice is inseparable from the struggle for economic equality, human dignity and security, and the challenge of developing American institutions along genuinely democratic lines.

When threatened, the first thing a democracy gives up is democracy.

One of my beliefs very strongly is that any democracy depends on a free, healthy press.

For my part, in everything I do, I aim to strengthen democracy in Germany and beyond. The United States is also a strong democracy. As we are seeing in Poland, for example, and also in Hungary, it is important that we have counterweights in democratic systems, and I believe they are still strong in America.

In the small group then is where we shall find the inner meaning of democracy, its very heart and core.

One of the signs that things are going reasonably well for democracy is that we have the states where they're closer to the people. Federalism is a strength. We have all of these civil society institutions - civil society is a very important hallmark of democracy.

Perhaps the most important thing I learned was about democracy, that democracy is not our government, our constitution, our legal structure. Too often they are enemies of democracy.

I've expressed concern about the assaults on our institutions, both from external sources - meaning the Russians - and internal sources. And I think this will be a real test of the resilience of our system and its pillars.

As the 20th century ended, there were around 120 democracies in the world - and I can assure you more are on the way.

It's hard in all countries. Democracy is hard, but it's better than the alternatives.

Those social behaviors which automatically preclude the building of a democratic world must go - every social limitation of human beings in terms of heredity, whether it be of race, or sex, or class. Every social institution which teaches human beings to cringe to those above and step on those below must be replaced by institutions which teach people to look each other straight in the face.

Democracy is good for everybody.

All attempts to destroy democracy by terrorism will fail. It must be business as usual.