"As I understand I took most so-called democratic states about 200 years on average to build their democracies. That is why, when we go to sleep under totalitarian rule and wake up in a democracy, it makes me laugh"

In this quote, Aleksandr Lebed is revealing his understanding that it takes around 200 years for the majority of democratic states to develop their democracies. He finds it amusing that some individuals are able to experience a transition from living under a totalitarian program to waking up in a democracy. This is because the procedure of building a democracy is a long and complicated one, and it is not something that can occur overnight. Lebed's statement highlights the importance of persistence and perseverance in the journey towards democracy, and the paradox of those who have the ability to experience it without totally understanding the battles and sacrifices that went into its creation.