Definition of Initiative

Initiative

Serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory; preliminary.

An introductory step or movement; an act which originates or begins.

The right or power to introduce a new measure or course of action, as in legislation; as, the initiative in respect to revenue bills is in the House of Representatives.

The right or procedure by which legislation may be introduced or enacted directly by the people, as in the Swiss Confederation and in many of the States of the United States; -- chiefly used with the. The procedure of the initiative is essentially as follows: Upon the filing of a petition signed by a required number or percentage of qualified voters the desired measure must be submitted to a popular vote, and upon receiving the required majority (commonly a majority of those voting on the measure submitted) it becomes a law. In some States of the United States the initiative is only local; in others it is state-wide and includes the making of constitutional amendments.

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Initiative Quotations

You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
Abraham Lincoln

Success comes from taking the initiative and following up... persisting... eloquently expressing the depth of your love. What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?
Tony Robbins

We believe in individual initiative, personal responsibility, opportunity, freedom, small government, the Constitution. These principles, these American principles are key to getting our economy back to being successful and leading the world.
Mitt Romney

Dependency is death to initiative, to risk-taking and opportunity. It's time to stop the spread of government dependency and fight it like the poison it is.
Mitt Romney

It takes more than capital to swing business. You've got to have the A. I. D. degree to get by - Advertising, Initiative, and Dynamics.
Isaac Asimov

Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.
Victor Hugo

I think flying planes into a building was a faith-based initiative. I think religion is a neurological disorder.
Bill Maher

Just as the process of repealing national alcohol prohibition began with individual states repealing their own prohibition laws, so individual states must now take the initiative with respect to repealing marijuana prohibition laws.
George Soros

Never relinquish the initiative.
Charles de Gaulle

Initiative is doing the right things without being told.
Elbert Hubbard

At least I know that one film-maker in my career has had the initiative to come to me and thought of me as being capable of doing interesting and complicated work, and so I have a new-found belief that other film-makers will see me in a different way, the way that Patty did.
Charlize Theron

I've always had confidence. It came because I have lots of initiative. I wanted to make something of myself.
Eddie Murphy

The man whose life is devoted to paperwork has lost the initiative. He is dealing with things that are brought to his notice, having ceased to notice anything for himself.
C. Northcote Parkinson

A theatre receives recognition through its initiative, which is indispensable for first-rate performances.
Franz Liszt

The Mobile Web Initiative is important - information must be made seamlessly available on any device.
Tim Berners-Lee

Organisation can never be a substitute for initiative and for judgement.
Louis D. Brandeis

I took the initiative in moving forward a whole range of initiatives that have proven to be important to our country's economic growth, environmental protection, improvements in our educational system.
Al Gore

During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet.
Al Gore

No one should suffer from the great delusion that any form of communism or socialism which promotes the dictatorship of the few instead of the initiative of the millions can produce a happier or more prosperous society.
Charles E. Wilson

People who ask us when we will hold talks with Pakistan are perhaps not aware that over the last 55 years, every initiative for a dialogue with Pakistan has invariably come from India.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Without initiative, leaders are simply workers in leadership positions.
Bo Bennett

Government cannot and must not replace private initiative.
Kim Campbell

A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all.
Tacitus

We expected that people were just waiting for the collapse of the Soviet Union, or at least for its retreat, and they were going to be full of initiative in all areas of life - in culture, in economy and in politics.
Andrzej Wajda

I think the court will determine that the Faith-Based Initiative that the White House has instituted in the last five years is constitutional, in the context of allowing for broad-based programs to include religious providers.
Jay Alan Sekulow

We believe a renewed commitment to limited government will unshackle our economy and create millions of new jobs and opportunities for all people, of every background, to succeed and prosper. Under this approach, the spirit of initiative - not political clout - determines who succeeds.
Paul Ryan

I met the president when he was president-elect at a meeting in Austin. He spoke of his faith. He spoke of his desire for a compassionate conservatism, for a faith-based initiative that would do something for poor people.
Jim Wallis

Within a month I announced I was going to start this initiative: A World of Women for World Peace.
Eddie Bernice Johnson

It's been years, decades, since a president has lost a major trade initiative. That would be bad headlines.
Gwen Ifill

The strongest initiative that government can take to ensure Australia is prepared for population ageing, is to maintain a strong economy, and a secure nation.
Julie Bishop

More Initiative Quotations

Initiative Translations

initiative in French is initiative
initiative in German is Unternehmungsgeist, Initiative
initiative in Latin is orsus
initiative in Spanish is iniciativa

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