The damage done to this country by its own misconduct in the last few months and years, to its very heart and soul, is far greater and longer lasting than any damage that any terrorist could possibly inflict upon us.
Theodore C. SorensenRead
International order is not an evolution; it is an imposition. It is the domination of one vision over others- in this case, the domination of liberal free market principles of economics, democratic principles of politics, and a peaceful international system over other visions that other nations and peoples may have. It will last only as long as those who favor it retain the capacity to defend it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the imposition of a dominant international order shaped by liberal values over alternative visions from other nations.
Robert Kagan's quote articulates the idea that the current international order is not a natural progression but rather an imposed system that prioritizes liberal free market and democratic ideals. This dominance signifies a struggle between differing perspectives on governance and economics, suggesting that this order will endure only as long as its proponents are able to uphold it against challenges from competing viewpoints.
Themes
International OrderLiberalismPoliticsEconomicsDomination
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about global trade policies, this quote can emphasize the need to understand the impositions of certain economic principles.
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