Analytical Studies
G7/8 Summits • G7 London Summit
Declaration on Democratic Values
London, June 8, 1984
- We, the Heads of State or Government of seven major industrial
democracies with the President of the Commission of the European
Communities, assembled in London for the Tenth Economic Summit
meeting, affirm our commitment to the values which sustain and
bring together our societies.
- We believe in a rule of law which respects and protects
without fear or favor the rights and liberties of every citizen,
and provides the setting in which the human spirit can develop
in freedom and diversity.
- We believe in a system of democracy which ensures genuine
choice in elections freely held, free expression of opinion
and the capacity to respond and adapt to change in all its aspects.
- We believe that, in the political and economic systems
of our democracies, it is for Governments to set conditions in
which there can be the greatest possible range and freedom of
choice and personal initiative; in which the ideals of social
justice, obligations and rights can be pursued; in which enterprise
can flourish and employment opportunities can be available for
all; in which all have equal opportunities of sharing in the benefits
of growth and there is support for those who suffer or are in
need; in which the lives of all can be enriched by the fruits
of innovation, imagination and scientific discovery; and in which
there can be confidence in the soundness of the currency. Our
countries have the resources and will jointly to master the tasks
of the new industrial revolution.
- We believe in close partnership among our countries in
the conviction that this will reinforce political stability and
economic growth in the world as a whole. We look for cooperation
with all countries on the basis of respect for their independence
and territorial integrity, regardless of differences between political,
economic and social systems. We respect genuine non-alignment.
We are aware that economic strength places special moral responsibilities
upon us. We reaffirm our determination to fight hunger and poverty
throughout the world.
- We believe in the need for peace with freedom and justice.
Each of us rejects the use of force as a means of settling disputes.
Each of us will maintain only the military strength necessary
to deter aggression and to meet our responsibilities for effective
defense. We believe that in today's world the independence of
each of our countries is of concern to us all. We are convinced
that international problems and conflicts can and must be resolved
through reasoned dialogue and negotiation and we shall support
all efforts to this end.
- Strong in these beliefs, and endowed with great diversity
and creative vigor, we look forward to the future with confidence.
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Source: U.S., Department of State, Bulletin,
No. 2089 (August 1984): 1-2; Economic Summits, 1975-1986:
Declarations (Rome: Istituto Affari Internazionali, 1987):
116-117; Great Britain, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Political
Declarations and Statements of Annual Economic Summits, 1978-1986
(London, 198-) [unpublished].
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