Democracy and freedom are too often confounded. Britain itself did not have anything close to democracy until the Reform Act of 1832. But it had freedom long before that.

The fundamentals of freedom – limited government, separation of powers, an independent judiciary, free speech, jury trials – existed in Britain for many generations before the franchise was extended to most males. The whole spirit, and many of the phrases, of the constitution of the United States derive from British law and government.

Just as freedom can exist without democracy, so democracy can crush freedom. …

Today, the confusion between freedom and democracy leads far too many Americans, including those in high places, to seek to spread democracy around the world – in complete disregard of the circumstances of the particular countries. In some respects, we may be more dangerous to our friends than to our enemies, when we pressure them to set up at least the trappings of democracy. …

The British were very wise to have given Hong Kong freedom. But they may also have been wise in not attempting to experiment with democracy, where the traditions needed for it did not exist.