--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just as the 99% of Soviet citizens who…" description: "\"Just as the 99% of Soviet citizens who supported the Soviet regime in 1985 was no indication of what the people inside the USSR really thought, the arm..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e10/natan-sharansky-14573_arab-world_just-as-the-99-of-soviet-citizens-who-su_2502658.jpg" --- # Just as the 99% of Soviet citizens who supported the… ![“Just as the 99% of Soviet citizens who supported the Soviet regime in 1985 was no indication of what the people inside the USSR really thought, the army of true believers that we think we see in the Arab world is an illusion.” quote by Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e10/natan-sharansky-14573_arab-world_just-as-the-99-of-soviet-citizens-who-su_2502658.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e10/natan-sharansky-14573_arab-world_just-as-the-99-of-soviet-citizens-who-su_2502658.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e10/natan-sharansky-14573_arab-world_just-as-the-99-of-soviet-citizens-who-su_2502658.jpg) > “Just as the 99% of Soviet citizens who supported the Soviet regime in 1985 was no indication of what the people inside the USSR really thought, the army of true believers that we think we see in the Arab world is an illusion.” [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. Public support can be superficial; true beliefs may be hidden, creating a false perception of consensus. **In simple terms:** People may appear to support a regime but secretly disagree. Key Takeaway Question beyond appearances. Themes politics perception illusion Mood critical analytical Type observational analytical When to use this quote - elections - policy debates - media analysis - foreign diplomacy Key Concepts public opinion social conformity political psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can we discern genuine belief from apparent compliance? - What methods reveal hidden dissent? A Different Perspective Surface support may be coerced or uninformed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arab world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arab-world/) [Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Believers Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believers-think-678138/) [Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Indication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indication/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Soviet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soviet/) [Soviet Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soviet-citizens-1076188/) [Think Arab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-arab-1076189/) [Ussr Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ussr-really-1076187/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [As for those who think the Arab world promises freedom, the briefest study of its routine traditional treatment of blacks (slavery) and women (purdah)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/as-for-those-who-think-the-arab-world-promises-freedom-the-briefest/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [When ordinary Soviet citizens are told that a vital trade agreement awarding their country most-favoured-nation status with the US is being blocked in Congress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-brien/when-ordinary-soviet-citizens-are-told-that-a-vital-trade-agreement/) [Alan Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-brien/) > [“Every time this happened, some arbitrarily chosen scapegoats were punished for overzealousness in carrying out the old policy. 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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/) [Explore all 46 Natan Sharansky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/) ## More Arab world quotes > [Al Jazeera is a representation of, you know, diversity in the Arab world. 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