Barack Obama Quotes

It is time for the world, the hemisphere and the region to make sure that relevant institutions of civil society and relevant laws are embedded in the mechanisms of governance.

Elections alone will never be enough to ensure good governance.

With the right kind of institutions, starting with the rule of law, Burma could progress very quickly.

In Ethiopia, democracy is in its infancy and it must be nurtured along by its leaders.

Good government

Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency.

Good governance needs self-discipline. Only discipline within can ensure discipline without.

Similarly, gender-equality, supremacy of law, political participation, civil society, and transparency are among the indispensable elements that are the imperatives of democratization.

For any young democracy, the most difficult but important step is burying the legacy of tyranny and establishing an economy and a government and institutions that abide by the rule of law. Every country faces challenges to the rule of law, including my own.

While all democratic systems are works in progress, ours started rather late and therefore has a longer distance to cover. But democratic transformation for us is not mimicking some facets of Western governance. The focus has been on building institutions of democratic governance.

Democracy needs support, and the best support for democracy comes from other democracies.

We should insist that governments receiving American aid live up to standards of accountability and transparency, and we should support countries that embrace market reforms, democracy, and the rule of law.

I see corruption as a mortal enemy for young democracies.

A well balanced, inclusive approach, according to certain standards and ideals, is essential for the proper governance of any country.

I would love to be the African leader that steps down, that overthrows this idea of a Big Man ruler. I don't want to stay in office forever.

As far as the constitution allows me, I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.

Democracy has always been in crisis: democracy is all about practicing the art of bearable dissatisfaction. In democratic societies, people often complain about their leaders and their institutions. The gap between the ideal democracy and the existing one cannot be bridged.

The essence of good government is trust.

If you present good government, then elections look after themselves.

Democratic societies with established institutions must help those societies that do not yet have established institutions.

Nobody is immune to corruption. The difference is in how the society responds to corruption. Are the corrupt in jail as they are in Israel and most democracies. Or are they leaders in the government as in Palestine under the PLO.

Africa must develop a genuine culture of alternation and opposition, without which democracy in any country, including the West, cannot exist.

History shows that more democracy is not a magic pill that will make institutionalized corruption will go away.

Free elections are only one part of democracy. Constraint on the power of government and the rule of law and the institutions of democracy are just as important.

Good governance is an important precondition for success of government but it is not sufficient. Economic growth is necessary.