Reagan in 1982:
"We're approaching the end of a bloody century plagued by totalitarianism. Optimism comes less easily today, not b/c democracy is less vigorous, but b/c democracy's enemies have refined their instruments of repression."
"We're approaching the end of a bloody century plagued by totalitarianism. Optimism comes less easily today, not b/c democracy is less vigorous, but b/c democracy's enemies have refined their instruments of repression."
There's a threat posed to human freedom by the enormous power of the modern state. History teaches the dangers of gov that overreaches - political control taking precedence over free economic growth, secret police, mindless bureaucracy, all combining to stifle individual freedom.
If history teaches anything it teaches self-delusion in the face of unpleasant facts is folly. We see around us today the marks of our terrible dilemma - predictions of doomsday, anti-nuclear demonstrations, an arms race in which the West must be an unwilling participant.
