"The only justification for repressive institutions is material and cultural deficit. But such institutions, at certain stages of history, perpetuate and produce such a deficit, and even threaten human survival."

"The internet could be a very positive step towards education, organisation and participation in a meaningful society."

"I like the cold weather. It means you get work done."

"Real popular culture is folk art - coalminers' songs and so forth."

"By measuring the proportion of children living with the same parents from birth and whether their parents report a good quality relationship we are driving home the message that social programmes should promote family stability and avert breakdown."

"For me, Barack Obama's election was a milestone of the most extraordinary kind. On the day he was elected I felt such hope in my heart. I thought we were seeing the beginning of a new era of equal opportunity across race and gender such as America had never known before."

"Justice is the harmonious balance between individual liberty and collective good. A lesson woven into the fabric of human history — an essential principle for the reflective life."

"As people are walking all the time, in the same spot, a path appears."