There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
Government actually grew during the Reagan years.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the irony that government size and influence increased during Ronald Reagan's presidency despite his rhetoric about reducing government.
Noam Chomsky's quote points to the contradiction in Ronald Reagan's policies, where, despite promoting a philosophy of reducing the size and role of government, the government in fact expanded during his administration. This suggests that the realities of political governance often diverge from the principles espoused by leaders, and that narratives around government power can be complex and misleading.
Themes
GovernmentPolicyReaganSizePolitics
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the expansion of government programs, one might use this quote to illustrate Reagan's contradictory policies.
More from Noam Chomsky
All quotes βThe 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
Noam ChomskyRead
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
Noam ChomskyRead
There are very few people who are going to look into the mirror and say, 'That person I see is a savage monster;' instead, they make up some construction that justifies what they do.
Noam ChomskyRead
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
Noam ChomskyRead
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
Noam ChomskyRead
Similar quotes
He mocks the people who proposes that the government shall protect the rich and that they in turn will care for the laboring poor.
Grover ClevelandRead
The west was involved in toppling the Mossadegh government. That ultimately led to the Iranian revolution.
Salman RushdieRead
You can't say the Negro left the Republican Party; the Negro feels he was evicted from the Republican Party.
Edward BrookeRead
Only armchair politicians are immune from committing mistakes. Errors are inherent in political action.
Nelson MandelaRead
Our politics are our deepest form of expression: they mirror our past experiences and reflect our dreams and aspirations for the future.
Paul WellstoneRead
Engaging Iran won't guarantee improved U.S.-Iranian relations or a more stable Gulf region. But not engaging means more of the same.
Samantha PowerRead