"I think we Americans tend to put too high a price on unanimity, as if there were something dangerous and illegitimate about honest differences of opinion honestly expressed by honest men"

This quote by James W. Fulbright speaks to the significance of enabling sincere disagreements to be expressed without worry of judgement or retribution. He suggests that Americans position too much emphasis on unanimity, as if it is the only acceptable outcome. He believes that it is essential to permit truthful disagreements to be revealed without fear of judgement or retribution. He thinks that this suggests a healthy democracy, and that it is essential to permit honest argument and discussion in order to reach the best possible outcome. He believes that it threatens to suppress sincere disagreements, as it can lead to a lack of development and a lack of understanding. He believes that it is essential to allow for truthful differences of opinion to be revealed in order to reach the best possible result.