In contrast to totalitarianism, democracy can face and live with the truth about itself.
Interpretation
Democracy acknowledges its own flaws and can address them, unlike totalitarian regimes.
This quote by Sidney Hook emphasizes the strength of democracy in its ability to confront and accept its own imperfections. Unlike totalitarian systems that often deny or suppress the truth, democratic societies can recognize their shortcomings and engage in open dialogue to improve and grow, which is a vital aspect of their resilience and vitality.
In practice
In a discussion on the value of democratic systems versus authoritarian ones.
A liberal education will impart an awareness of the amazing and precious complexity of human relationships. Since those relationships are violated more often out of insensitiveness than out of deliberate intent, whatever increases sensitiveness of perception and understanding humanizes life.
Everyone recognizes a distinction between knowledge and wisdom. . . Wisdom is a kind of knowledge. It is knowledge of the nature, career, and consequences of human values. Since these cannot be separated from the human organism and the social scene, the moral ways of man cannot be understood without knowledge of the ways of things and institutions.
Tolerance always has limits - it cannot tolerate what is itself actively intolerant.
Idealism, alas, does not protect one from ignorance, dogmatism, and foolishness.
The easiest rationalization for the refusal to seek the truth is the denial that truth exists.
The mob that hails the man on horseback, the Caesars and conquering heroes, does not retain its freedoms for long.
Politics and morality are inseparable. And as morality's foundation is religion, religion and politics are necessarily related. We need religion as a guide. We need it because we are imperfect, and our government needs the church, because only those humble enough to admit they're sinners can bring to democracy the tolerance it requires in order to survive.
Geeks like to think that they can ignore politics, you can leave politics alone, but politics won't leave you alone.
Wherever despotism abounds, the sources of public information are the first to be brought under its control.
Experience shows that when political governance and economic management diverge, overall development becomes unsustainable.
Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.
Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse.
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