Misconceptions play a prominent role in my view of the world.
I commissioned two political experts to advise me about what I could do to oppose the re-election of President Bush.
The anti-resource curse initiative has stronger legs than most and that has made me very enthusiastic.
Everybody says that I have a lot of power. But what does that power consist of?… Can I influence governments? I am beginning to be able to…” (1995)
It is much easier to put existing resources to better use, than to develop resources where they do not exist.
The main obstacle to further progress on the resource curse is China, and to a lesser extent India.
As I like to put it, we have hit pay dirt. The effort to cure the resource curse is a good example of what private foundations working with NGOs can accomplish.
Just as the process of repealing national alcohol prohibition began with individual states repealing their own prohibition laws, so individual states must now take the initiative with respect to repealing marijuana prohibition laws.
When I had made more money than I needed for myself and my family, I set up a foundation to promote the values and principles of a free and open society.
We must recognize that as the dominant power in the world we have a special responsibility. In addition to protecting our national interests, we must take the leadership in protecting the common interests of humanity.
The financial markets generally are unpredictable. So that one has to have different scenarios… The idea that you can actually predict what’s going to happen contradicts my way of looking at the market.
If the terrorists have the sympathy of people, it’s much harder to find them. So we need people on our side, and that leads us to be responsible leaders of the world, show some concern with the problems.
I would prefer not to be involved in party politics.
When it comes to social consequences, they’ve got all different people acting in different ways, very difficult to even have a proper criterion of success. So, it’s a difficult task.
I chose America as my home because I value freedom and democracy, civil liberties and an open society.
My foundations support people in the country who care about an open society. It’s their work that I’m supporting. So it’s not me doing it. But I can empower them. I can support them, and I can help them.
An open society is a society which allows its members the greatest possible degree of freedom in pursuing their interests compatible with the interests of others.