The Greek city-states politicised citizen and subject, creating institutions that were way ahead of anything in China or India. The politicians of antiquity exercised a political and military, if not economic, hegemony on the culture as a whole. The idea of democracy was first born and practised here.

The only continent where social movements have led to political parties that have pushed through serious social and political reforms is in South America.

I am, in general, favourable to activism and social movements and hostile to graft and corruption.

Tariq Ali Quotes