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

Quote by Natan Sharansky

Topics: Natan Sharansky Quotes

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...

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...

The message of the free world to any potential Palestinian leadership should be a simple...

The message of the free world to any potential Palestinian leadership should be a simple...

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...

Only weeks after Oslo began, when nearly all the world and most of Israel was...

Only weeks after Oslo began, when nearly all the world and most of Israel was...

Arafat rejected the deal because, as a dictator who had directed all his energies toward...

Arafat rejected the deal because, as a dictator who had directed all his energies toward...

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.

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...

When we are unwilling to draw clear moral lines between free societies and fear societies,...

When we are unwilling to draw clear moral lines between free societies and fear societies,...

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

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

Can someone within that society walk into the town square and say what they want...

Can someone within that society walk into the town square and say what they want...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

It is not surprising, then, that in the decade since Oslo began, Arafat used all...

It is not surprising, then, that in the decade since Oslo began, Arafat used all...

The two most important things that can be done to promote democracy in the world...

The two most important things that can be done to promote democracy in the world...

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...