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About this quote

What does it mean?
Effective government reflects the unique character, structure, and natural elements of its people.
In plain terms
Government should match the country's culture and natural makeup to work well.
What can you take from it?
Good government balances a nation's natural elements.

Where it applies

  • constitutional design
  • policy making
  • cultural preservation

Putting it to work

  • assess local customs
  • align laws with culture
  • avoid foreign imposition

Questions to consider

  • How does your government reflect your culture?
  • What happens when rules ignore local reality?

Another view

Universal principles may sometimes override local specifics.

More from Jose Marti

  1. To govern well, one must see things as they are.

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  2. In nations composed of both cultured and uncultured elements, the uncultured will govern because it is their habit to attack and resolve doubts with their fist…

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  3. The trees must form ranks to keep the giant with seven-league boots from passing! It is the time of mobilization, of marching together, and we must go forward …

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