"According to this view, democracy is a product of western culture, and it cannot be applied to the Middle East which has a different cultural, religious, sociological and historical background"
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan
About this Quote
In this quote, Recep Tayyip Erdogan is revealing the belief that democracy is a principle that originated in western culture and might not be suitable for the Middle East due to its distinct cultural, religious, sociological, and historical background. He suggests that the Middle East might need a various form of governance that is more lined up with its specific qualities. This view challenges the concept that democracy is a universal system that can be applied to any society. Erdogan's statement highlights the importance of thinking about cultural context when implementing political systems and the prospective restrictions of imposing western perfects on non-western societies.
"We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans"
"Of course as children, we all, in all cultures and societies, learn behavior from observation, imitation, and encouragement of various kinds. So by the suggestion made, we all 'pretend' most of the time"
"Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future"