--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is important to remember that some of…" description: "\"It is important to remember that some of the most serious thinkers once thought that democracy was not compatible with the cultures of Germany, Italy, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb7/natan-sharansky-14573_america_it-is-important-to-remember-that-some-of_740704.jpg" --- # It is important to remember that some of the most serious… ![“It is important to remember that some of the most serious thinkers once thought that democracy was not compatible with the cultures of Germany, Italy, Japan, Latin America and Russia.” quote by Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb7/natan-sharansky-14573_america_it-is-important-to-remember-that-some-of_740704.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb7/natan-sharansky-14573_america_it-is-important-to-remember-that-some-of_740704.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb7/natan-sharansky-14573_america_it-is-important-to-remember-that-some-of_740704.jpg) > “It is important to remember that some of the most serious thinkers once thought that democracy was not compatible with the cultures of Germany, Italy, Japan, Latin America and Russia.” [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Historically, even great thinkers doubted democracy’s fit with various cultures. **In simple terms:** Democracy was once thought incompatible with many cultures. Key Takeaway Question assumptions about democracy’s universality. Themes politics culture democracy Mood reflective serious Type historical political When to use this quote - policy debates - educational curricula - international relations - public discourse Key Concepts pluralism historical perspective Questions to Reflect On - How do cultural values shape political systems? - Can democracy adapt to diverse societies? A Different Perspective Cultural differences may still affect democratic implementation today. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Compatible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compatible/) [Cultures Germany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cultures-germany-5783198/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Compatible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-compatible-595286/) [Germany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/germany/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Japan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/japan/) [Latin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latin/) [Latin america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latin-america/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Russia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russia/) [Serious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serious/) [Thinkers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinkers/) [Thinkers Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinkers-thought-2113956/) [Thought Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-democracy-1598574/) ## Related quotes > [A new thinker is only one who does not know what the old thinkers have thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-moore-colby/a-new-thinker-is-only-one-who-does-not-know-what-the-old-thinkers/) [Frank Moore Colby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-moore-colby/) > [“There two types of people: thinkers and and those who are thought for.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-leary/there-two-types-of-people-thinkers-and-and-those-who-are-thought-for/) [J.A. Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-leary/) > [Democracy is not compatible with capitalism but is congruent with a version of democratic socialism in which the wealth, resources, and benefits of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/democracy-is-not-compatible-with-capitalism-but-is-congruent-with-a/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-thiel/i-no-longer-believe-that-freedom-and-democracy-are-compatible/) [Peter Thiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-thiel/) > [Democracy is not compatible with financial oligarchy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/democracy-is-not-compatible-with-financial-oligarchy/) [Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/) > [Men saw the stars at the edge of the sea They thought great thoughts about liberty Poets wrote down words that did fit Writers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-morrison/men-saw-the-stars-at-the-edge-of-the-sea-they-thought-great-thoughts/) [Van Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-morrison/) > [Even the Founding Fathers of the U.S., nowadays considered the model of a democracy, were strictly opposed to it. Without a single exception, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-hermann-hoppe/even-the-founding-fathers-of-the-u-s-nowadays-considered-the-model-of/) [Hans-Hermann Hoppe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-hermann-hoppe/) > [“Dear Editor: Rousseau thought that democracy was a good idea, but unworkable. Plato recommended an intellectual aristocracy, with ‘philosopher kings’ using psychological manipulation to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dear-editor-rousseau-thought-that-democracy-was-a-good-idea-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Americans have always thought they had a democracy form of government. We don’t. We have a constitutional republic – a representative form of government.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-r-johnson/americans-have-always-thought-they-had-a-democracy-form-of-government/) [David R. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-r-johnson/) > [The principles and form of government that form the basis of democracy are compatible with Islamic values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fethullah-gulen/the-principles-and-form-of-government-that-form-the-basis-of/) [Fethullah Gulen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fethullah-gulen/) > [When the Founders thought of democracy, they saw democracy in the political sphere - a sphere strictly limited by the Constitution's well-defined and enumerated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-e-williams/when-the-founders-thought-of-democracy-they-saw-democracy-in-the/) [Walter E. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-e-williams/) > [I don't think we have learnt to keep within the limits. They are quite elastic but there is a point beyond which they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-meacher/i-don-t-think-we-have-learnt-to-keep-within-the-limits-they-are-quite/) [Michael Meacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-meacher/) > [The hardware and the software used in the Breakthrough project will be compatible with other telescopes around the world, so they too can search…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuri-milner/the-hardware-and-the-software-used-in-the-breakthrough-project-will/) [Yuri Milner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuri-milner/) > [I believe in the theory of evolution, but I believe as well in the allegorical truth of creation theory. In other words, I believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-langan/i-believe-in-the-theory-of-evolution-but-i-believe-as-well-in-the/) [Christopher Langan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-langan/) > [What our species needs, above all else, is a generally accepted ethical system that is compatible with the scientific knowledge we now possess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-our-species-needs-above-all-else-is-a-generally-accepted-ethical/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Natan Sharansky > [The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be based on deterrence. For today, the dictator may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/the-only-peace-that-can-be-made-with-a-dictator-is-once-that-must-be/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Democratic leaders, whose power is ultimately dependent on popular support, are held accountable for failing to improve the lives of their citizens. Therefore, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/democratic-leaders-whose-power-is-ultimately-dependent-on-popular/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [On the other hand, if the free world is concerned with how a new Palestinian leader governs, then the peace process will have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/on-the-other-hand-if-the-free-world-is-concerned-with-how-a-new/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [To go again over the history of the struggle of resistance ... and to think 'Where are all these people today Where is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/to-go-again-over-the-history-of-the-struggle-of-resistance-and-to/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Those who warned that Gorbachev was being put under too much pressure were wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/those-who-warned-that-gorbachev-was-being-put-under-too-much-pressure/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Unfortunately, little attention was paid to how Arafat ruled. In fact, some saw the harsh and repressive nature of Arafat's regime as actually bolstering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/unfortunately-little-attention-was-paid-to-how-arafat-ruled-in-fact/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Will dissent be permitted? The answer to that question will determine whether the society is a free society or a fear society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/will-dissent-be-permitted-the-answer-to-that-question-will-determine/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [When did America forget that it's America?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/when-did-america-forget-that-it-s-america/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [They tried their best to find a place where I was isolated. But all the resources of a superpower cannot isolate the man who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/they-tried-their-best-to-find-a-place-where-i-was-isolated-but-all/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Japan is not a Western democracy. The Japanese have kept their traditions, culture and heritage, but they have joined the community of free nations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/japan-is-not-a-western-democracy-the-japanese-have-kept-their/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Arafat rejected the deal because, as a dictator who had directed all his energies toward strengthening the Palestinians hatred toward Israel, Arafat could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/arafat-rejected-the-deal-because-as-a-dictator-who-had-directed-all/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Of course, there can be serious injustices within free societies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/of-course-there-can-be-serious-injustices-within-free-societies/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [My theory is that security - also against terror - can only be accomplished through global democratization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/my-theory-is-that-security-also-against-terror-can-only-be/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [Free nations generally look for ways to deal with dictators amicably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/free-nations-generally-look-for-ways-to-deal-with-dictators-amicably/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) > [The message of the free world to any potential Palestinian leadership should be a simple one: Embrace democratic reform and we will embrace you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/the-message-of-the-free-world-to-any-potential-palestinian-leadership/) [Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) [Explore all 46 Natan Sharansky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. 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