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 americacompatibleculture Change image and share on social
This scepticism is the same scepticism I heard a generation ago in the USSR when few thought that a democratic transformation behind the iron curtain was possible. Natan Sharansky agocurtaindemocratic Change image and share on social
The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be based on deterrence. For today, the dictator may be your friend, but tomorrow he will need you as an enemy. Natan Sharansky basedeterrencedictator Change image and share on social
In contrast, fear societies are societies in which dissent is banned. Natan Sharansky bancontrastdissent Change image and share on social
Can someone within that society walk into the town square and say what they want without fear of being punished for his or her views? If so, then that society is a free society. If not, it is a fear society. Natan Sharansky fearfreepunish share on social
Will dissent be permitted? The answer to that question will determine whether the society is a free society or a fear society. Natan Sharansky answerdeterminedissent Change image and share on social
On the other hand, if the free world is concerned with how a new Palestinian leader governs, then the peace process will have a real chance to succeed. Natan Sharansky chanceconcernfree Change image and share on social
Arafat rejected the deal because, as a dictator who had directed all his energies toward strengthening the Palestinians hatred toward Israel, Arafat could not afford to make peace. Natan Sharansky affordarafatdeal Change image and share on social
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 arabarmybeliever share on social
To understand why dictators have a problem with making peace - or at least a genuine peace - the link between the nature of a regime and its external behavior must be understood. Natan Sharansky behaviordictatorexternal Change image and share on social
