--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Democratic institutions are necessary and…" description: "\"Democratic institutions are necessary and very important, and if I remained at the head of government, it could be an obstacle to democratic practice. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/833/dalai-lama-89_dalai_democratic-institutions-are-necessary-an_1065736.jpg" --- # Democratic institutions are necessary and very important… ![“Democratic institutions are necessary and very important, and if I remained at the head of government, it could be an obstacle to democratic practice. Also, if I were to remain, then I would have to join one of the parties. If the Dalai Lama joins one party, then that makes it hard for the system…” quote by Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/833/dalai-lama-89_dalai_democratic-institutions-are-necessary-an_1065736.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/833/dalai-lama-89_dalai_democratic-institutions-are-necessary-an_1065736.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/833/dalai-lama-89_dalai_democratic-institutions-are-necessary-an_1065736.jpg) > “Democratic institutions are necessary and very important, and if I remained at the head of government, it could be an obstacle to democratic practice. Also, if I were to remain, then I would have to join one of the parties. If the Dalai Lama joins one party, then that makes it hard for the system to work.” [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that holding top political power can hinder true democratic practice and that partisan affiliation complicates impartial leadership. **In simple terms:** Power can block democracy; parties complicate leadership. Key Takeaway Avoid concentrating power; stay nonpartisan. Themes politics democracy leadership Mood reflective serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - government reform - elections - policy making - civil society Key Concepts separation of powers nonpartisanship Questions to Reflect On - Can democracy thrive without strong leaders? - What are the risks of nonpartisan governance? A Different Perspective Power may be necessary for decisive action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions/) [Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lama/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) ## Related quotes > [“Though our castes and institutions are apparently linked with our religion, they are not so. These institutions have been necessary to protect us as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/though-our-castes-and-institutions-are-apparently-linked-with-our/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [From these activists we can learn a crucial lesson: without citizens creating the institutions necessary for facilitating the growth of public deliberation, democracy will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mattson/from-these-activists-we-can-learn-a-crucial-lesson-without-citizens/) [Kevin Mattson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mattson/) > [“BOTSWANA, CHINA, and the U.S. South, just like the Glorious Revolution in England, the French Revolution, and the Meiji Restoration in Japan, are vivid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daron-acemo-lu/botswana-china-and-the-u-s-south-just-like-the-glorious-revolution-in/) [Daron Acemoğlu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daron-acemo-lu/) > [Limbaugh has been warning us about a deep cultural rot in our intellectual class, an accelerating collapse of standards, and the institutions necessary to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-tancredo/limbaugh-has-been-warning-us-about-a-deep-cultural-rot-in-our/) [Tom Tancredo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-tancredo/) > [It cannot suffice to invent new machines, new regulations, new institutions. It is necessary to change and improve our understanding of the true purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/it-cannot-suffice-to-invent-new-machines-new-regulations-new/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [I felt we must separate political responsibility. The Dalai Lama should not carry that burden. So that is my selfish reason - to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-felt-we-must-separate-political-responsibility-the-dalai-lama/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I totally disagree with the view that the Tibet struggle will die, and there will be no hope for Tibet, after the Dalai Lama…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-totally-disagree-with-the-view-that-the-tibet-struggle-will-die-and/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [If some people have the belief or view that the Dalai Lama has some miracle power, that's totally nonsense. I am just one human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-some-people-have-the-belief-or-view-that-the-dalai-lama-has-some-2/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We need a sense of the oneness of the 7 billion human beings alive today. When I meet people, I don't think about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-need-a-sense-of-the-oneness-of-the-7-billion-human-beings-alive/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [If some people have the belief or view that the Dalai Lama has some miracle power, that's totally nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-some-people-have-the-belief-or-view-that-the-dalai-lama-has-some/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I never dreamt, in my dream, I'm Dalai Lama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-never-dreamt-in-my-dream-i-m-dalai-lama/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [A female Dalai Lama must be very attractive, otherwise not much use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/a-female-dalai-lama-must-be-very-attractive-otherwise-not-much-use/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [One Mongolian leader became a very, very brutal dictator and eventually became a murderer. Previously, he was a monk, and then he became a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/one-mongolian-leader-became-a-very-very-brutal-dictator-and/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The Dalai Lama is just a temporal leader of Tibet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-dalai-lama-is-just-a-temporal-leader-of-tibet/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [If the Dalai Lama joins one party, then that makes it hard for the system to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-the-dalai-lama-joins-one-party-then-that-makes-it-hard-for-the/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More by Dalai Lama > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [In the interests of everyone the artist had a responsibility to use his medium well. In the Tibetan culture, most of the paintings are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/in-the-interests-of-everyone-the-artist-had-a-responsibility-to-use/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [If the mind is dominated by hatred, the best part of the brain, which is used to judge right and wrong, does not function…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-the-mind-is-dominated-by-hatred-the-best-part-of-the-brain-which/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/more-compassionate-mind-more-sense-of-concern-for-other-s-well-being/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Everybody loves to talk about calmness and peace, whether in a family, national, or international context, but without inner peace how can we make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/everybody-loves-to-talk-about-calmness-and-peace-whether-in-a-family/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The only "definitive truth" for Buddhism is the absolute negation of any one truth as the Definitive Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-only-definitive-truth-for-buddhism-is-the-absolute-negation-of/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We can change society, change humanity by changing ourselves as individuals. By cultivating inner values, we can change our own lives and those of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-can-change-society-change-humanity-by-changing-ourselves-as/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I don't want to convert people to Buddhism — all major religions, when understood properly, have the same potential for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-don-t-want-to-convert-people-to-buddhism-all-major-religions-when/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There is no way to escape death, it is just like trying to escape by four great mountains touching sky. There is no escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-is-no-way-to-escape-death-it-is-just-like-trying-to-escape-by/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We live within the environment. So that directly relates with our survival, our life. So through that way, more concern of well being of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-live-within-the-environment-so-that-directly-relates-with-our/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [My belief is that the various religious traditions have great potential to increase compassion, the sense of caring for one another, and the spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/my-belief-is-that-the-various-religious-traditions-have-great/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [When we think carefully, we see that the brief elation we experience when appeasing sensual impulses may not be very different from what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-think-carefully-we-see-that-the-brief-elation-we-experience/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“So let us reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-let-us-reflect-on-what-is-truly-of-value-in-life-what-gives/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I am the source of my own suffering, because of the habits of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-am-the-source-of-my-own-suffering-because-of-the-habits-of-my-mind/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) [Explore all 1,406 Dalai Lama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More Dalai quotes > [ \[The Dalai Lama\] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i-ve-made-every-concession-to/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [The Dalai Lama would say that meditation is something that can help everyone. But he's aware that it can be misused or things can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-would-say-that-meditation-is-something-that-can-help/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [The Dalai Lama, these days, encourages Westerners not to take up Buddhism, partly because he feels that our roots are deep in other traditions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-these-days-encourages-westerners-not-to-take-up/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [In my downtime, you'll mostly find me curled up with a book. I love reading biographies. My favourites are those of Dalai Lama, Osama…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madhur-bhandarkar/in-my-downtime-you-ll-mostly-find-me-curled-up-with-a-book-i-love/) [Madhur Bhandarkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madhur-bhandarkar/) > [As soon as I began to talk to Dalai Lama, I realized that Chinese and Tibetans from his point of view are mostly the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/as-soon-as-i-began-to-talk-to-dalai-lama-i-realized-that-chinese-and/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [I heard about the Dalai Lama, you know and I thought to myself, why not me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/i-heard-about-the-dalai-lama-you-know-and-i-thought-to-myself-why-not/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Now everyone's main objective of taking photographs is to have a photograph for Twitter or Facebook. I find that troubling. If you have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xaviera-simmons/now-everyone-s-main-objective-of-taking-photographs-is-to-have-a/) [Xaviera Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xaviera-simmons/) > [A good model of how to 'work with the enemy' internally is presented by the Dalai Lama, in his endless caretaking of his soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/a-good-model-of-how-to-work-with-the-enemy-internally-is-presented-by/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Because of social media, we have access to amazing spiritual teachers. You can watch the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Eckhart Tolle or any number…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agapi-stassinopoulos/because-of-social-media-we-have-access-to-amazing-spiritual-teachers/) [Agapi Stassinopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agapi-stassinopoulos/) > [I think China's view of freedom has to do with material wealth and modernity, and the Dalai's Lama view of freedom is liberation in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/i-think-china-s-view-of-freedom-has-to-do-with-material-wealth-and/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [Buddha's teaching are very simple, you don't have to break your head to understand the message. The part that I like the most from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-martin/buddha-s-teaching-are-very-simple-you-don-t-have-to-break-your-head/) [Ricky Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-martin/) > [The Dalai Lama's entire being is about peace and harmony, forgiveness and self-discipline. Those are qualities to be admired. I am really looking forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-nichols/the-dalai-lama-s-entire-being-is-about-peace-and-harmony-forgiveness/) [Joe Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-nichols/) > [The Dalai Lama once said that 'If science proves some belief of Buddhism wrong, then Buddhism will have to change!' This is a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/the-dalai-lama-once-said-that-if-science-proves-some-belief-of/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [ Yet \[Dalai Lama\] has said very strongly that basic freedoms of thought and speech have to be respected in Tibet and they're not at… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/yet-dalai-lama-has-said-very-strongly-that-basic-freedoms-of-thought/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [I've met the Dalai Lama briefly, but I would probably say my grandfather was the wisest person I ever met. He was my mother's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/i-ve-met-the-dalai-lama-briefly-but-i-would-probably-say-my/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) Browse all 118 Dalai quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Democratic institutions are necessary and very important, and if I remained at the head of government, it could be an obstacle to democratic practice. Also, if I were to remain, then I would have to join one of the parties. If the Dalai Lama joins one party, then that makes it hard for the system to work.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dalai Lama" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/democratic-institutions-are-necessary-and-very-important-and-if-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dalai" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/democratic-institutions-are-necessary-and-very-important-and-if-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/833/dalai-lama-89_dalai_democratic-institutions-are-necessary-an_1065736.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/833/dalai-lama-89_dalai_democratic-institutions-are-necessary-an_1065736.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/833/dalai-lama-89_dalai_democratic-institutions-are-necessary-an_1065736.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Democratic institutions are necessary and very important, and if I remained at the head of government, it…” — Dalai Lama", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dalai Lama", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Democratic institutions are necessary and very...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/democratic-institutions-are-necessary-and-very-important-and-if-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/democratic-institutions-are-necessary-and-very-important-and-if-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```