Democracy Quote by J. William Fulbright
“In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its taste, but in its effects.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Commencement Address, University of Arkansas, 1965
Dissent in democracy is a trust‑building test, judged by its outcomes, not its discomfort.
In simple terms: Dissent is a faith‑based test of democracy.
Key Takeaway
Value dissent for its results.
Themes
politics
freedom
trust
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- protest movements
- legislative debate
- media analysis
Key Concepts
civil disobedience
public discourse
ethical testing
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes dissent productive?
- How do we measure its impact?
A Different Perspective
Dissent can be suppressed or ignored.
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