It is by its promise of a sense of power that evil often attracts the weak.
Eric HofferRead
In the calculus of western interests, there is no suffering, whatever its scale, which cannot be justified. Chechens, Palestinians, Iraqis, Afghans, Pakistanis are of little importance.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques how Western interests often ignore the suffering of marginalized groups to justify their actions.
Tariq Ali's quote highlights the disturbing reality that, within the calculus of political and economic interests in the West, the suffering of certain populations is often dismissed as inconsequential. This perspective reveals a deep moral failure, where the lives of Chechens, Palestinians, and others are seen as expendable in pursuit of broader goals, raising questions about ethics, human rights, and the value placed on different lives depending on geopolitical considerations.
Themes
SufferingWestern InterestsJustificationPoliticsMarginalized
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on global politics and humanitarian crises, one might quote this to emphasize the overlooked suffering of certain groups.
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