It is clear that the main element of any United States policy toward the Soviet Union must be that of long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies.
George F. KennanRead
Actually, the inability of any society to resist immigration, the inability to find other solutions to the problem of employment at the lower, more physical, and menial levels of the economic process, is a serious weakness, and possibly even a fatal one, in any national society. The fully healthy society would find ways to meet those needs out of its own resources.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that a society's failure to address immigration and employment issues reflects its weaknesses.
In this quote, George F. Kennan highlights the challenges that a society faces when it cannot effectively manage immigration and provide employment for lower-skilled workers. He argues that a resilient and healthy society should develop solutions to these issues independently, indicating that reliance on external sources may signify deeper societal vulnerabilities. This reflects on the importance of self-sufficiency and adaptability in the face of economic and social challenges.
Themes
ImmigrationEmploymentSocietyWeaknessEconomicResources
In practice
Example use cases
During a public lecture on immigration policy, one could reference this quote to emphasize the importance of addressing employment issues.
More from George F. Kennan
All quotes βThe best thing we can do if we want the Russians to let us be Americans is to let the Russians be Russian.
George F. KennanRead
We should cease to talk about vague and unreal objectives such as human rights, the raising of the living standards, and democratization. The day is not far off when we are going to have to deal in straight power concepts. The less we are then hampered by idealistic slogans, the better.
George F. KennanRead
It is an undeniable privilege of every man to prove himself right in the thesis that the world is his enemy; for if he reiterates it frequently enough and makes it the background of his conduct he is bound eventually to be right.
George F. KennanRead
One sometimes feels a guest of one's time and not a member of its household.
George F. KennanRead
The accords were fig leaves of democratic procedure to hide the nakedness of Stalinist dictatorship.
George F. KennanRead
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