Since 1990, we have been building up the idea that democracy is

Democracy is not merely a system of governance, but a bridge between the powerless and the halls of power. When Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva proclaimed, “Since 1990, we have been building up the idea that democracy is the best way for sectors that feel socially excluded from politics to win power,” he spoke of a sacred struggle—the effort to give voice to those long silenced. His words remind us that true democracy is forged not in comfort, but in the fires of exclusion, where the marginalized rise to claim their rightful place in shaping the destiny of their people.

The heart of this quote lies in inclusion. For centuries, many political systems have been controlled by elites, leaving vast segments of society unseen and unheard. Lula, himself born into poverty and a former factory worker, understood the pain of those who felt invisible. His belief in democracy was not abstract; it was rooted in lived experience. Through free elections, representation, and the rule of law, he saw a path by which the poor, the workers, and the oppressed could move from the edges of society to the center, wielding power not through violence, but through unity and the ballot box.

History bears witness to the truth of this vision. Consider the civil rights movement in the United States. For generations, African Americans were excluded from the political process through systemic racism and unjust laws. Through protests, courage, and unyielding hope, leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. fought to secure voting rights. When those rights were finally won, democracy became the tool by which the oppressed could influence policy and dismantle the very systems that had excluded them. This is the power Lula speaks of: change that rises from the people themselves, through peaceful and collective action.

Yet, democracy is fragile. When the excluded are denied access to its mechanisms, despair can turn to anger, and anger to rebellion. Lula’s words also carry a warning: that societies must continually strengthen democratic institutions to prevent corruption and to ensure that participation remains open to all. If the people lose faith in democracy, they may seek other, more dangerous paths to reclaim their power. Thus, democracy must be nurtured like a living tree, its roots deepened by justice and equality.

Lula’s own rise to the presidency of Brazil stands as a living example of his teaching. Once a child who shined shoes to survive, he rose through the labor movement to lead a nation. His journey symbolized the very essence of democracy: that even those born in the humblest of conditions can ascend to the highest office when the voice of the people is strong and united. His leadership gave hope to millions who once felt forgotten, showing that democracy can indeed be a ladder for the downtrodden to climb.

Let this wisdom endure for all time: democracy is not a gift bestowed by rulers, but a weapon of the people, forged in struggle and wielded through participation. When the excluded are brought into its fold, a nation grows stronger, for no voice is wasted and no dream is lost. As long as the people dare to stand together, democracy will remain the most powerful path for justice and transformation.