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Democracies are slow to anger and hesitant to go to war: Voters don't want to sacrifice their children for the glory of a selfish king.
Michio Kaku
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Democracies typically avoid quick military actions due to the concerns of citizens about the costs of war.

In this quote, Michio Kaku emphasizes the cautious nature of democracies when it comes to military conflict. The hesitation to engage in war reflects the values of citizens who prioritize the well-being of their families over the ambitions of those in power, highlighting a fundamental principle of democracy where public opinion influences major decisions like war.

Themes

DemocracyWarPeaceCitizensGovernmentVoters

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used during a political debate to emphasize the responsibility of governments to consider the public's desire for peace.

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Some advice: keep the flame of curiosity and wonderment alive, even when studying for boring exams. That is the well from which we scientists draw our nourishment and energy. And also, learn the math. Math is the language of nature, so we have to learn this language.
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After that cancellation [of the Superconducting Super Collider in Texas, after $2 billion had been spent on it], we physicists learned that we have to sing for our supper. ... The Cold War is over. You can't simply say "Russia!" to Congress, and they whip out their checkbook and say, "How much?" We have to tell the people why this atom-smasher is going to benefit their lives.
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Quote by Michio Kaku | QuoteProject