Only weeks after Oslo began, when nearly all the world and most of Israel was drunk with the idea of peace, I argued that a Palestinian society not constrained by democratic norms would be a fear society that would pose…

Quote by Natan Sharansky

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Free societies are societies in which the right of dissent is protected.

Free societies are societies in which the right of dissent is protected.

To understand why dictators have a problem with making peace - or at least a...

To understand why dictators have a problem with making peace - or at least a...

In contrast, fear societies are societies in which dissent is banned.

In contrast, fear societies are societies in which dissent is banned.

People may believe that there can be a society where dissent is not permitted, but...

People may believe that there can be a society where dissent is not permitted, but...

Just as the 99% of Soviet citizens who supported the Soviet regime in 1985 was...

Just as the 99% of Soviet citizens who supported the Soviet regime in 1985 was...

The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be...

The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be...

The three main sources of scepticism are first, that not every people desires freedom; second,...

The three main sources of scepticism are first, that not every people desires freedom; second,...

Of course, there can be serious injustices within free societies.

Of course, there can be serious injustices within free societies.

It is important to remember that some of the most serious thinkers once thought that...

It is important to remember that some of the most serious thinkers once thought that...

The central premise behind Oslo was that if Arafat were given enough legitimacy, territory, weapons...

The central premise behind Oslo was that if Arafat were given enough legitimacy, territory, weapons...

Democratic leaders, whose power is ultimately dependent on popular support, are held accountable for failing...

Democratic leaders, whose power is ultimately dependent on popular support, are held accountable for failing...

There were no dissidents then in the USSR because they were all killed.

There were no dissidents then in the USSR because they were all killed.

I am optimistic that peace can be achieved in the region because I believe that...

I am optimistic that peace can be achieved in the region because I believe that...

I was inspired to write this book by those who are sceptical of the power...

I was inspired to write this book by those who are sceptical of the power...

My optimism is not based primarily on the successful march of democracy in recent times...

My optimism is not based primarily on the successful march of democracy in recent times...

Believe me, the drug of freedom is universally potent.

Believe me, the drug of freedom is universally potent.

Non-democratic regimes always need to mobilize their people against external enemies in order to maintain...

Non-democratic regimes always need to mobilize their people against external enemies in order to maintain...

I have no doubt that given a real choice, the vast majority of Muslims and...

I have no doubt that given a real choice, the vast majority of Muslims and...

Will dissent be permitted? The answer to that question will determine whether the society is...

Will dissent be permitted? The answer to that question will determine whether the society is...

This scepticism is the same scepticism I heard a generation ago in the USSR when...

This scepticism is the same scepticism I heard a generation ago in the USSR when...