[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fU78eRJYpaMQTSxWOZEAsm2UOy-0q21UbtaiQoeS9QSo":3,"$ftnwn4ATGaziBo_EXwZ145JF4-x8XMMQ7t3s_UrUnJAY":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},184598,"Jose Eduardo Dos Santos","J",7,null,"jose-eduardo-dos-santos",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":91},[14,23,35,47,58,69,80],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":22},3167404,"The merit of a democratic regime rests on one’s continual willingness to exchange views, and to compete on the basis of individual merit and capacities.",6,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThis quote is likely attributed to José Eduardo dos Santos, the former President of Angola, in the context of his country's transition from a one-party state to a multi-party democracy in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During this time, Angola was navigating a tumultuous period of civil war, economic stagnation, and international isolation. As a leader, dos Santos recognized the need to foster a culture of democratic values and competition.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a paradox at the heart of democratic governance: the tension between individual merit and the necessity of competing views. On one hand, the quote emphasizes the importance of individual merit and capacities as the basis for competition. However, this emphasis on individualism can sometimes be at odds with the need for diverse perspectives and views, which are essential for a healthy democracy. In other words, the quote highlights the delicate balance between promoting individual excellence and encouraging the free exchange of ideas.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider the following strategy: when engaging in competitive environments, whether in the workplace or in personal projects, cultivate a mindset that values both individual merit and the exchange of diverse perspectives. By doing so, you can foster a culture of constructive competition that drives innovation and growth, while also acknowledging the value of differing viewpoints and ideas.",{"id":24,"quote_text":25,"author_id":5,"source_id":26,"has_image":18,"author":27,"source":28,"quote_tag":29,"commentary":9},2482786,"It is often said that the magnitude of a people is measured by their ability to know how to win.",4,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[30],{"id":31,"tag":32},5463058,{"id":33,"tag_name":34},5265,"winning",{"id":36,"quote_text":37,"author_id":5,"source_id":26,"has_image":18,"author":38,"source":39,"quote_tag":40,"commentary":46},2482761,"The merit of a democratic regime rests on one's continual willingness to exchange views, and to compete on the basis of individual merit and capacities.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[41],{"id":42,"tag":43},5463033,{"id":44,"tag_name":45},4287,"competition","**The Backstory**\nThis quote is likely from the pen of Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, the former President of Angola, who rose to power in the 1970s. As a leader in the MPLA (People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola), Dos Santos navigated the complexities of Cold War politics and African nationalism. During this time, he championed the ideals of democratic socialism, seeking to balance the need for collective ownership with the meritocratic values of individual achievement.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe merit of a democratic regime, according to Dos Santos, lies not in the absence of conflict or competition, but in the willingness to engage in open and constructive debate. This paradoxical insight highlights the tension between the desire for collective consensus and the need for individual excellence – a tension that is as relevant today as it was in Dos Santos' era.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset in your own professional or creative pursuits, cultivate a willingness to engage in constructive debate and competition, even when it challenges your own views. By embracing this spirit of open exchange, you can foster a culture of innovation and meritocracy that benefits not just individuals, but the collective as a whole.",{"id":48,"quote_text":49,"author_id":5,"source_id":26,"has_image":18,"author":50,"source":51,"quote_tag":52,"commentary":9},2482740,"There is no magic wand that can resolve our problems. The solution rests with our work and discipline.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[53],{"id":54,"tag":55},5463012,{"id":56,"tag_name":57},1975,"discipline",{"id":59,"quote_text":60,"author_id":5,"source_id":26,"has_image":18,"author":61,"source":62,"quote_tag":63,"commentary":9},2482725,"It is evident that not all people that have the confidence of the prime minister are the same ones that have the confidence of the head of state.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[64],{"id":65,"tag":66},5462997,{"id":67,"tag_name":68},55330,"ministers",{"id":70,"quote_text":71,"author_id":5,"source_id":26,"has_image":18,"author":72,"source":73,"quote_tag":74,"commentary":9},2482711,"The current constitutional law places the president of the republic in an embarrassing situation.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[75],{"id":76,"tag":77},5462980,{"id":78,"tag_name":79},17648,"current",{"id":81,"quote_text":82,"author_id":5,"source_id":26,"has_image":18,"author":83,"source":84,"quote_tag":85,"commentary":9},2482704,"Our goal is not to crush the enemy at any price, but to make it realize that it is illegal to take up arms to overthrow a democratically elected government.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[86],{"id":87,"tag":88},5462976,{"id":89,"tag_name":90},5996,"arms",{"currentPage":92,"totalPages":92,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":93},1,10]