Where Hope Takes Root: Democracy and Pluralism in an Independent World

About this book

One of the worlds most influential leaders discusses pluralism democracy and Canadas potential for world leadership. In Where Hope Takes Root a collection of talks given over the past six years the Aga Khan spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims-a sizable number of whom live in Canada-sets out the principles that inform his vision of peaceful productive societies. He returns again and again to the three cornerstones upon which his many years of work in the developing world are based: democracy pluralism and civil society. Democracy always fragile must be nurtured in practical and flexible ways he says. Pluralism must be embraced in both fact and spirit. And engaged civil society which the Aga Khan defines broadly as including doctors and journalists associations womens groups social movements and village organizations must be actively supported in countries around the globe.