America rests on shared values rather than shared ethnicity.
Interpretation
America is built on common beliefs and principles rather than a unified ethnic background.
This quote emphasizes the foundational idea of the United States as a nation characterized by diverse backgrounds united by core values such as freedom, democracy, and equality. Joseph Nye suggests that the strength of America lies in its ability to bring together individuals from various ethnicities, under a shared commitment to these ideals, rather than being defined solely by their ethnic identities.
In practice
In a speech about national identity, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of shared values in building a cohesive society.
Leadership experts and the public alike extol the virtues of transformational leaders - those who set out bold objectives and take risks to change the world. We tend to downplay 'transactional' leaders, whose goals are more modest, as mere managers.
We live in a world of diverse cultures, and we know very little about social engineering and how to 'build nations.' And when we cannot be sure how to improve the world, hubristic visions pose a grave danger.
Terrorism is like jujitsu: The small players win if they make the large player use his strength against himself.
As we think of power in the 21st century, we want to get away from the idea that powerβs always zero sum β my gain is your loss and vice versa. Power can also be positive sum, where your gain can be my gain.
Turn in upon yourselves, get into your closets, and now resolve to dwell there. You have been strangers to this work too long; you have kept other vineyards too long; you have trifled about the borders of religion too long. Will you now resolve to look better to your hearts? Will you hate and come out of the crowds of business and clamors of the world and retire yourselves more than you have done? Oh, that this day you would resolve upon it!
Tradition is tending the flame, not worshiping the ashes.
Propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves.
Those who weep for the happy periods which they encounter in history acknowledge what they want; not the alleviation but the silencing of misery.
It appears to be in the nature of religion itself to be prejudiced against those who are different.
If something is not beautiful, it is probably not true.
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