--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am against revolution and am proud of…" description: "\"I am against revolution and am proud of it. Democracy cannot be created through revolutions. The most important dichotomy that I make for a society is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf5/akbar-ganji-14195_affair_i-am-against-revolution-and-am-proud-of_1169632.jpg" --- # I am against revolution and am proud of it. Democracy… ![“I am against revolution and am proud of it. Democracy cannot be created through revolutions. The most important dichotomy that I make for a society is between those who support democracy and human rights, and those who oppose it. In a totalitarian state, the state views any act of an individual to…” quote by Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf5/akbar-ganji-14195_affair_i-am-against-revolution-and-am-proud-of_1169632.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf5/akbar-ganji-14195_affair_i-am-against-revolution-and-am-proud-of_1169632.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf5/akbar-ganji-14195_affair_i-am-against-revolution-and-am-proud-of_1169632.jpg) > “I am against revolution and am proud of it. Democracy cannot be created through revolutions. The most important dichotomy that I make for a society is between those who support democracy and human rights, and those who oppose it. In a totalitarian state, the state views any act of an individual to be political in nature. For example, the clothing that a person wears in a modern state is a private affair whereas in the Islamic Republic all women are forced to wear the hijab (Islamic attire). When women push their headscarf back an inch or two, this is interpreted to be a political act,” [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy thrives on peaceful participation, not violent upheaval; forced conformity signals oppression. **In simple terms:** Democracy needs peaceful change, not revolutions. Key Takeaway Promote dialogue, protect rights. Themes democracy human rights authoritarianism civil liberty Mood concerned determined Type political analytical When to use this quote - activism - policy reform - education - media reporting Key Concepts political theory social contract Questions to Reflect On - How can societies ensure peaceful reform? - What safeguards prevent authoritarian overreach? A Different Perspective Revolutions can sometimes catalyze necessary change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affair/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy and human rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-and-human-rights/) [Dichotomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dichotomy/) [Hijab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hijab/) [Human rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-rights/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Islamic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islamic/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Republic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republic/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) [Totalitarian state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/totalitarian-state/) ## Related quotes > [We must struggle for creating a democratic system that is dedicated to democracy and human rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/we-must-struggle-for-creating-a-democratic-system-that-is-dedicated/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [“International politics is never about democracy and human rights. It's about the interests of states. Remember that, no matter what you are told in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/international-politics-is-never-about-democracy-and-human-rights-it-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The advancement of democracy and human rights is as serious a business as anything we do in our foreign policy and cannot be treated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-malinowski/the-advancement-of-democracy-and-human-rights-is-as-serious-a/) [Tom Malinowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-malinowski/) > [So, I'm a big believer in democracy and human rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamedou-ould-slahi/so-i-m-a-big-believer-in-democracy-and-human-rights/) [Mohamedou Ould Slahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamedou-ould-slahi/) > [We’re at a point in history that whether the Internet is going to evolve in a way that’s compatible with democracy and human rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/we-re-at-a-point-in-history-that-whether-the-internet-is-going-to/) [Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/) > [“A hundred years hence, our belief in democracy and human rights might look equally incomprehensible to our descendants. 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Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-w-bush/) > [Any strategy to promote democracy and human rights must have the fight against corruption at its heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-malinowski/any-strategy-to-promote-democracy-and-human-rights-must-have-the/) [Tom Malinowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-malinowski/) > [We must take proactive steps to promote democracy and human rights abroad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-brownback/we-must-take-proactive-steps-to-promote-democracy-and-human-rights/) [Sam Brownback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-brownback/) > [Education is important even beyond the bounds of the opportunities it gives to the individual; it is a crucial and basic requirement for ensuring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiq-khan/education-is-important-even-beyond-the-bounds-of-the-opportunities-it/) [Sadiq Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiq-khan/) > [The theory of relativity worked out by Mr. Einstein, which is in the domain of natural science, I believe can also be applied to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiang-zemin/the-theory-of-relativity-worked-out-by-mr-einstein-which-is-in-the/) [Jiang Zemin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiang-zemin/) > [There can be no real growth without healthy populations. No sustainable development without tackling disease and malnutrition. No international security without assisting crisis-ridden countries.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-can-be-no-real-growth-without-healthy-populations-no/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America's foreign policy supports freedom, democracy, and human dignity for all mankind, and we make no apologies for it. The opportunity society that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/america-s-foreign-policy-supports-freedom-democracy-and-human-dignity/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [One cannot have a trade union or a democratic election without freedom of speech, freedom of association and assembly. Without a democratic election, whereby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-meany/one-cannot-have-a-trade-union-or-a-democratic-election-without/) [George Meany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-meany/) ## More by Akbar Ganji > [When I say that I am opposed to this budget, everyone says, "Well, what do you think the United States should do?" My response…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/when-i-say-that-i-am-opposed-to-this-budget-everyone-says-well-what/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [You cannot bring democracy to a country by attacking it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/you-cannot-bring-democracy-to-a-country-by-attacking-it/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [ The issue has two dimensions. One is the legal dimension and the other one is the issue at the realpolitik. \[In the\] legal realm,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/the-issue-has-two-dimensions-one-is-the-legal-dimension-and-the-other/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [ \[In\] every revolution, there is a great divergence between what the revolutionaries expect and what the revolution actually accomplishes. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/in-every-revolution-there-is-a-great-divergence-between-what-the/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [The ecological movement is concerned about this, and this is in here, where everything is public. In Iran, where everything is covert, we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/the-ecological-movement-is-concerned-about-this-and-this-is-in-here/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [I am only speaking of my own behalf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/i-am-only-speaking-of-my-own-behalf/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [We must struggle for creating a democratic system that is dedicated to democracy and human rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/we-must-struggle-for-creating-a-democratic-system-that-is-dedicated/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [When there is a crisis, the first thing that gets damaged and gets harmed is democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/when-there-is-a-crisis-the-first-thing-that-gets-damaged-and-gets/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [Negotiation talks are the best way to solve anything. We must replace wars and weapons with negotiations and talks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/negotiation-talks-are-the-best-way-to-solve-anything-we-must-replace/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [There's all kind of evidence that there is enormous corruption in the distribution of that money. For example, they gave about $100 to $150…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/there-s-all-kind-of-evidence-that-there-is-enormous-corruption-in-the/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [Let me begin by saying not only you can't have democracy with $75 million. You can't even have it with $750 billion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/let-me-begin-by-saying-not-only-you-can-t-have-democracy-with-75/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [ The number of the opposition has certainly increased \[in Iran\]. There is more disgruntlement, but because there is no media, the voice of this… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/the-number-of-the-opposition-has-certainly-increased-in-iran-there-is/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [Three of our provinces have seen mass uprisings. The three provinces are Khuzestan, Azerbaijan, and Kurdistan. Recently, we witnessed massive demonstration by Iranian woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/three-of-our-provinces-have-seen-mass-uprisings-the-three-provinces/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [The solutions to the problems of the distraught lower strata of society are problems that can only be solved in the context of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/the-solutions-to-the-problems-of-the-distraught-lower-strata-of/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) > [ What I'm worried about is that, in case that happens \[nuclear explosion\], then the Iranian people are the ones who are going to pay… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akbar-ganji/what-i-m-worried-about-is-that-in-case-that-happens-nuclear-explosion/) [Akbar Ganji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) [Explore all 47 Akbar Ganji quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akbar-ganji/) ## More Affair quotes > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. 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