"Democracy may have arisen in the West as the way of striving for the universal aspiration to dignity and freedom, but it isn't alien to the underlying concepts that infuse religion and moral philosophy everywhere"

This quote by Flora Lewis suggests that democracy is not a concept that is unique to the West, but rather is a universal goal that is discovered in several cultures and religious beliefs. Lewis suggests that democracy is rooted in the very same principles of dignity and flexibility that are discovered in faith and ethical philosophy. This suggests that democracy is not a foreign idea, however rather is a natural expression of the universal desire for liberty and respect. Lewis' quote indicates that democracy is a natural outgrowth of the same worths that are discovered in various cultures and faiths, which it is not an exclusively Western concept. This quote highlights the value of comprehending the universal values that are discovered in various cultures and faiths, and how they can be utilized to produce a more equitable and simply society.