Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same.
Condoleezza RiceRead
Great powers can't get tired, because the international order is not self-governing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Great powers have a responsibility to maintain order in the world, and cannot afford to become weary in their duties.
This quote by Condoleezza Rice emphasizes the significance of great powers in global governance. It suggests that the international system requires active participation and vigilance from influential nations, as it is not capable of maintaining itself. The responsibility of these nations is perpetual; if they tire or withdraw from their roles, the order that underpins international relations may falter, leading to chaos and instability.
Themes
Great PowersInternational OrderResponsibilityGovernanceGlobal Politics
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about international relations, one might say, 'As Condoleezza Rice noted, great powers can't get tired, because the international order is not self-governing.'
More from Condoleezza Rice
All quotes βI think my father thought I might be president of the United States. I think he would've been satisfied with secretary of state. I'm a foreign policy person and to have a chance to serve my country as the nation's chief diplomat at a time of peril and consequence, that was enough.
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What the United States has done is to be open to people who are fleeing tyranny, who are fleeing danger, but we have done it in a very careful way that has worked for us.
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For the United States, supporting international development is more than just an expression of our compassion. It is a vital investment in the free, prosperous, and peaceful international order that fundamentally serves our national interest.
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Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same. If you are too attentive to the former, you will most certainly not do the hard work of securing the latter.
Condoleezza RiceRead
Does anybody think these people were just sitting around drinking tea?
Condoleezza RiceRead
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