Reddit reviews Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Vol. 2: Ambition (2)

Yang Wen-li did not state that democracy is defended by a nation.

From the novel Ambition:

> “What’s riding on this is at most the life or death of the state. Compared to individual rights and liberty, the state is just not worth all that much. Well then, everyone, shall we begin?”

From the novel Stratagem:

> “Constitutional government goes against autocracy, progressive democracy against intolerant authoritarianism. We advocate these ideologies as if they were natural choices and put them into practice. But if all things Rudolf are to be denied and buried at the hands of Duke von Lohengramm, I see no reason for the alliance to go on as such.”

> Julian was silent.

> “Look, Julian. No matter how unrealistic the man may be, he doesn’t sincerely believe in immortality—and yet, don’t you think it’s strange that so many idiots out there delude themselves into thinking their nations are indestructible?”

> Without answering, Julian, with the dark-brown eyes that even his foster parent had, looked at the young admiral. Yang’s thoughts often developed beyond space and time and made use of an extreme frankness of expression, much to the exhilaration not only of Julian, but also of Frederica.

> “Julian, nations are nothing more than basic tools. Never forget that, and maybe you’ll hold on to who you are.”

The statement most similar to what you have described is by Admiral Bucock in episode 41. This is the translation from the novel Stratagem:

> “I think it’s right for democratic nations to limit military power and authority. Soldiers shouldn’t be able to exercise those privileges anywhere but in the battlespace. Also, no democratic government can be of sound body when its military grows obese by ignoring the criticisms of its own society, effectively becoming a nation within a nation.”

> The old admiral’s words seemed like the work of one revalidating his own value system.

> “It’s not the democratic government system that’s wrong. The problem is that the system has become dissociated from the very spirit that holds it up. For now, the existence of our public facade barely forestalls the degeneration of its true intentions. I wonder how long we’ll hold out.”

Another similar statement is by Admiral Bucock in episode 53. This is the translation from the novel Mobilization:

> “The point is, the alliance’s days are numbered. Its politicians play with power. Its soldiers, as seen at Amritsar, are absorbed in speculative enterprise. They preach democracy yet make no efforts to protect it. Even its people have relinquished politics to fewer and fewer hands and have stopped trying to shape the state altogether. The collapse of a despotic government is the sin of its rulers and senior statesmen, but the collapse of a democracy rests on the shoulders of every citizen. Although you’ve had any number of chances to run from your seats of power legitimately, you’ve chosen to abandon your authority and responsibility by selling yourselves over to a rotten politician.”

[AUDIOBOOK]

[Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Vol. 1: Dawn]
(https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Legend-Galactic-Heroes-Vol/dp/B01BPHH9NW)

[Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Vol. 2: Ambition]
(https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Galactic-Heroes-Vol-Ambition/dp/1421584956)

[Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Vol. 3: Endurance]
(https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Galactic-Heroes-Vol-Endurance/dp/1421584964)