France, he said, should not fear change in the Arab world; for the first time in history, democratic ideals “could triumph on all shores of the Mediterranean”.
abstract:"Democratic ideals" is a rhetorical phrase meaning either personal qualities or standards of government behavior that are felt to be essential for the continuation of a democratic policy. Advocates for causes across the political spectrum use this phrase in attempting to engage in persuasion, particularly by contrasting some situation which has been allowed to continue for pragmatic or social reasons, but which those advocating action regard as being wrong in principle.
We throw up our hands and ask whether political action committees have more influence on elections than democraticideals or the interests of most Americans.
The former president embodies the South Africa that was promised in the election of 1994, and many South Africans worry that their country no longer reflects the democraticideals Mandela spent his life advocating.