“The conception that government should be guided by majority opinion makes sense only if that opinion is independent of government. The ideal of democracy rests on the belief that the view which will direct government emerges from an independent and spontaneous process. It requires, therefore, the existence of a large sphere independent of majority control in which the opinions of the individuals are formed.” IfsShouldGovernmentIndividualBeliefProcessViewsExistenceOpinionDemocracyIdealsDirectIndependentMajorityMake SenseConceptionSpheresSpontaneousMajority Opinion Author:Friedrich August von Hayek
“There is no question that, if you look at name recognition and celebrity, my opponent is far-and-away ahead. I think that if you put my beliefs in one column and her positions in another column, I am almost convinced that a majority of the people in the Democratic Party would support my beliefs.” PeopleIfsThinkingLooksNamesBeliefPartySupportPositionMajorityDemocraticConvincedRecognitionOpponentsDemocratic PartyColumns Author:Jonathan Tasini
“Here is a myth for you if myths are your pleasure: "There is no more opportunity in this world." Most people held this false belief fifty years ago, the majority agreed with it five years ago, and practically everyone clings to it today. Clearly, this myth will also be the screaming rage in the future. Hang on to this myth, and you are destined to miss great opportunities for the rest of your life.” PeopleIfsWorldYearsTodayOpportunityBeliefPleasureFiveMissingThis WorldYears AgoMajorityMythRageFive YearsFiftyDestinedRest Of Your LifeGreat Opportunity Author:Ernie J Zelinski
“I would not be running for President if I didn't believe with all my heart that this is what the vast majority of Americans want for this country. This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation - the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election.” PeopleIfsWantGivingBelieveHeartMayMadeCountryFeelingsRunningTodayYoungNextBeliefPresidentPerfectAttitudeGenerationsPossibilityMy HeartGive MeElectionMajorityUnionsOpennessCynicalNext GenerationDoubtful Author:Barack Obama
“Air Force officials appear to be more concerned with appeasing the powerful Religious Right lobbyists who have argued against any guidelines that seek to respect and protect the rights of all cadets -- not just those adhering to majority religious beliefs.” BeliefForceReligiousPowerfulRightsAirProtectConcernedMajorityOfficialsReligious BeliefAir ForceGuidelinesLobbyistsCadets Author:Barry W. Lynn
“There are many persons ready to do what is right because in their hearts they know it is right. But they hesitate, waiting for theother fellow to make the first move--and he, in turn, waits for you. The minute a person whose word means a great deal dares to take the open- hearted and courageous way, many others follow. Not everyone can be turned aside from meanness and hatred, but the great majority of Americans is heading in that direction. I have a great belief in the future of my people and my country.” PeopleKnowsWayFirstsHeartMeanPersonsCountryMovingTurnsBeliefWaitingDealsMinutesReadyMoralityHatredFellowsMajorityDareCivil RightsCourageousHeartedCivil Rights MovementHeadingsMeanness Book:My Lord, what a Morning: An Autobiography Source: My Lord, what a Morning: An Autobiography
“People who write about issues like poverty or terrorism are a part of the elite, and the distance between the elite and nonelite is growing very fast. You can move around the world but meet only people who speak your language, who share the same ideas, the same beliefs, and in doing so you can lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of the world does not think or believe in or speak the everyday discourse of the elite.” PeopleThinkingWorldWritingBelieveDoeIdeasFactsMovingBeliefSpeakLanguageLosesPovertyIssuesGrowingShareSightMajorityDistanceEverydayTerrorismAround The WorldElitesDiscourse Author:Pankaj Mishra