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The experience of democracy is like the experience of life itself-always changing, infinite in its variety, sometimes turbulent and all the more valuable for having been tested by adversity.

In Ethiopia, democracy is in its infancy and it must be nurtured along by its leaders.

Democracy is an extraordinary adventure. It's difficult, full of daring and risk and danger. But it's the greatest gift we have.

Democracy, obviously, is something we don't want to give up, but it does create chaos. It means the guy next door can do what he wants, and it creates a collision of thinking. In cities, that means people build whatever they want.

Democracy is not static. It is a living force. Every new idea, every new invention offers opportunity for both good and evil.

The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity.

Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.

The exercise of democracy begins as exercise, as walking around, becoming familiar with the streets, comfortable with strangers, able to imagine your own body as powerful and expressive rather than a pawn.

I think it's obvious that democracy is something that is contagious, and it always has been.

Democracy is an imperfect way of steering between the violence of anarchy and the violence of tyranny, with the least violence you can get away with.