"Nothing can be more abhorrent to democracy than to imprison a person or keep him in prison because he is unpopular. This is really the test of civilization"

In this quote, Winston Churchill is revealing his idea that democracy is essentially opposed to the idea of putting behind bars a person only for being unpopular. The ability of people to express their opinions openly is a crucial element of a democratic society, and punishing somebody for being out of favor goes against this principle. By specifying that this is "the test of world," Churchill is recommending that a society's level of civilization can be gauged by just how well it shields the legal rights as well as liberties of its residents, even those that may be unpopular or hold undesirable beliefs. Ultimately, the quote highlights the relevance of upholding democratic worths in order to maintain a just and free society.