--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Americans are quite skeptical about the…" description: "\"Americans are quite skeptical about the goal of promoting democracy. People feel it's a desirable goal, but, from a commonsense point of view, both Rep..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73a/daniel-yankelovich-56090_conclusion_americans-are-quite-skeptical-about-the_459178.png" --- # Americans are quite skeptical about the goal of promoting… ![“Americans are quite skeptical about the goal of promoting democracy. People feel it's a desirable goal, but, from a commonsense point of view, both Republicans and Democrats have come to the conclusion that democracy is something that countries can only come to on their own.” quote by Daniel Yankelovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73a/daniel-yankelovich-56090_conclusion_americans-are-quite-skeptical-about-the_459178.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73a/daniel-yankelovich-56090_conclusion_americans-are-quite-skeptical-about-the_459178.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73a/daniel-yankelovich-56090_conclusion_americans-are-quite-skeptical-about-the_459178.png) > “Americans are quite skeptical about the goal of promoting democracy. People feel it's a desirable goal, but, from a commonsense point of view, both Republicans and Democrats have come to the conclusion that democracy is something that countries can only come to on their own.” [Daniel Yankelovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-yankelovich/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People doubt that external forces can effectively promote democracy, believing it must develop internally within each nation. **In simple terms:** Democracy must grow from within. Key Takeaway Support organic democratic development. Themes politics democracy sovereignty Mood analytical critical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - foreign policy - development aid - civil society - education Key Concepts self-determination political theory Questions to Reflect On - Can external support ever be truly neutral? - What role should other nations play? A Different Perspective External pressure may provoke backlash or undermine legitimacy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democrat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democrat/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Point of view](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-of-view/) [Republican](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republican/) [Skeptical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skeptical/) ## Related quotes > [After installing friendly leaders in Iran and Guatemala, the United States lost interest in promoting democracy in either country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/after-installing-friendly-leaders-in-iran-and-guatemala-the-united/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [I take the debate on the method of promoting democracy seriously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/recep-tayyip-erdogan/i-take-the-debate-on-the-method-of-promoting-democracy-seriously/) [Recep Tayyip Erdogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/recep-tayyip-erdogan/) > [When someone at the State Department proclaims Facebook to be the most organic tool for promoting democracy the world has ever seen - that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeny-morozov/when-someone-at-the-state-department-proclaims-facebook-to-be-the/) [Evgeny Morozov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeny-morozov/) > [Unrestrained zeal to make the world better could make it worse. Promoting democracy must be undertaken with humility, care, and wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/unrestrained-zeal-to-make-the-world-better-could-make-it-worse/) [Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/) > [The American system is, in many ways, more difficult, certainly far more expensive and much longer than a parliamentary system, and I really admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/the-american-system-is-in-many-ways-more-difficult-certainly-far-more/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [I'm very disappointed by the mature-democracy countries. I was ousted by a coup d'etat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thaksin-shinawatra/i-m-very-disappointed-by-the-mature-democracy-countries-i-was-ousted/) [Thaksin Shinawatra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thaksin-shinawatra/) > [Those wanting to improve democracy in their countries should not wait for permission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bulent-ecevit/those-wanting-to-improve-democracy-in-their-countries-should-not-wait/) [Bulent Ecevit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bulent-ecevit/) > [Russia's interference in the United States' 2016 election could not have been more different from what the United States does to promote democracy in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-malinowski/russia-s-interference-in-the-united-states-2016-election-could-not/) [Tom Malinowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-malinowski/) > [I have the deepest, deepest respect for these guys who are actually fighting for democracy in countries far away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pilou-asbaek/i-have-the-deepest-deepest-respect-for-these-guys-who-are-actually/) [Pilou Asbaek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pilou-asbaek/) > [Look, there is parliamentary democracy in most European countries, there is parliamentary democracy in Japan, there is parliamentary democracy in many countries, but in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/look-there-is-parliamentary-democracy-in-most-european-countries/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Exporting this Western model of democracy in countries that don't want it or are not ready creates disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matteo-salvini/exporting-this-western-model-of-democracy-in-countries-that-don-t/) [Matteo Salvini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matteo-salvini/) > [The whole idea of a democracy is that we ourselves, the people, are supposed to make a path of our politics, and it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-jarecki/the-whole-idea-of-a-democracy-is-that-we-ourselves-the-people-are/) [Eugene Jarecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-jarecki/) > [If you continue to transfer the wealth of the population of the planet to a very small amount of people, it becomes untenable at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/if-you-continue-to-transfer-the-wealth-of-the-population-of-the/) [Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/) > [You can't afford to hate politics. The politics of this country is democracy. Democracy is by the people, of the people and for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arvind-kejriwal/you-can-t-afford-to-hate-politics-the-politics-of-this-country-is/) [Arvind Kejriwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arvind-kejriwal/) > [In a democracy, people tend to get the kind of government they deserve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lanchester/in-a-democracy-people-tend-to-get-the-kind-of-government-they-deserve/) [John Lanchester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lanchester/) ## More by Daniel Yankelovich > [More than seven out of 10 people have found The Landmark Forum to be one of life’s most rewarding experiences. To me, this suggests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-yankelovich/more-than-seven-out-of-10-people-have-found-the-landmark-forum-to-be/) [Daniel Yankelovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-yankelovich/) > [Employee participation programs and employee ownership are important efforts to deal with powerlessness at work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-yankelovich/employee-participation-programs-and-employee-ownership-are-important/) [Daniel Yankelovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-yankelovich/) > [The act of collaboration must start with dialogue. You cannot build relationships without having an understanding of your potential partners, and you cannot achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-yankelovich/the-act-of-collaboration-must-start-with-dialogue-you-cannot-build/) [Daniel Yankelovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-yankelovich/) > [A new breed of Americans born out of the social movements of the 60s and grown into a majority in the 70s holds a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-yankelovich/a-new-breed-of-americans-born-out-of-the-social-movements-of-the-60s/) [Daniel Yankelovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-yankelovich/) > [Today, cultural and legal changes mean that individuals expect and demand a voice in decisions that affect their lives and often they have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-yankelovich/today-cultural-and-legal-changes-mean-that-individuals-expect-and/) [Daniel Yankelovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-yankelovich/) [Explore all 6 Daniel Yankelovich quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-yankelovich/) ## More Conclusion quotes > [I'm not going to be part of looking at information only partially. I'm not going to be part of just coming to quick conclusions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-cleland/i-m-not-going-to-be-part-of-looking-at-information-only-partially-i-m/) [Max Cleland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-cleland/) > [From what I have seen, I am driven to the conclusion that religion is only good for good people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/from-what-i-have-seen-i-am-driven-to-the-conclusion-that-religion-is/) [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) > [The thing about living alone is that it gives you a lot of time to think. You don't necessarily reach any conclusions, because wisdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tropper/the-thing-about-living-alone-is-that-it-gives-you-a-lot-of-time-to/) [Jonathan Tropper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tropper/) > [The main conclusion here arrived at ... is that man is descended from some less highly organized form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-main-conclusion-here-arrived-at-is-that-man-is-descended-from/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [Your deeper sense isn’t a springboard; it’s a landing place. If you draw conclusions too quickly or too slowly, you’ll establish your self where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-ruiter/your-deeper-sense-isn-t-a-springboard-it-s-a-landing-place-if-you/) [John de Ruiter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-ruiter/) > [When there is a mission before you, you see it from its beginning to its conclusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-white/when-there-is-a-mission-before-you-you-see-it-from-its-beginning-to/) [Jesse White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-white/) > [Every study on chocolate is pointing to the same conclusion: there is something in chocolate that is really good for us. That something is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wolfe/every-study-on-chocolate-is-pointing-to-the-same-conclusion-there-is/) [David Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wolfe/) > [I have come to the definite conclusion that musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shinichi-suzuki/i-have-come-to-the-definite-conclusion-that-musical-ability-is-not-an/) [Shinichi Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shinichi-suzuki/) > [Study how a society uses its land, and you can come to pretty reliable conclusions as to what its future will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-f-schumacher/study-how-a-society-uses-its-land-and-you-can-come-to-pretty-reliable/) [E. F. Schumacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-f-schumacher/) > [Dr. Arnold . . . the admired reformer of public schools, came across some cranks who thought it a mistake to flog boys. Anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/dr-arnold-the-admired-reformer-of-public-schools-came-across-some/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [That's what politics is. It's the story of what's happening, what does it mean, what's the conclusion, who are the interesting characters?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickerson/that-s-what-politics-is-it-s-the-story-of-what-s-happening-what-does/) [John Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickerson/) > [It's my firm conclusion that human meaning comes from humans, not from a supernatural source. After we die, our hopes for an afterlife reside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/it-s-my-firm-conclusion-that-human-meaning-comes-from-humans-not-from/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [To each eye, perhaps, the outlines of a great civilization present a different picture. In the wide ocean upon which we venture, the possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-burckhardt/to-each-eye-perhaps-the-outlines-of-a-great-civilization-present-a/) [Jacob Burckhardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-burckhardt/) > [If you jump to conclusion you can't step on a clue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-santinello/if-you-jump-to-conclusion-you-can-t-step-on-a-clue/) [James Santinello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-santinello/) > [I cannot escape from the conclusion that the great ages of progress have depended upon a small number of individuals of transcendent ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/i-cannot-escape-from-the-conclusion-that-the-great-ages-of-progress/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) [Browse all 1,619 Conclusion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Americans are quite skeptical about the goal of promoting democracy. 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