The moral case is, people say, "Oh they're not ready for…
“The moral case is, people say, "Oh they're not ready for democracy," but that's something someone who lives in a democracy would say about someone who doesn't live in a democracy. Well, if democracy is the highest form of human potential, then it can't be true for us and not for them. But, the practical case is democracies don't invade their neighbors. Democracies don't traffic in child soldiers. Democracies don't harbor terrorists as a state policy. So there's a reason to have more democratic states.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Democracy is the best system for human flourishing, and its benefits—peace, non‑support of terrorism, and child‑soldier avoidance—make expanding it desirable.
In simple terms: Democracy brings peace and protects children.
Key Takeaway
Promote democratic governance worldwide.
Themes
democracy
human potential
peace
human rights
foreign policy
Mood
hopeful
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- international aid
- diplomacy
- conflict resolution
- humanitarian intervention
Key Concepts
political theory
comparative politics
normative ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we support democracy without imposing it?
- What safeguards prevent democratic backsliding?
A Different Perspective
Democracies can still commit abuses and may not suit all cultures.