QuoteProject
In the long run, global politics are bound to become increasingly uncongenial to the concentration of hegemonic power in the hands of a single state. Hence, America is not only the first, as well as the only, truly global superpower, but it is also likely to be the very last.
Zbigniew Brzezinski
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The concentration of power in a single state is unsustainable in the long term, suggesting that America's superpower status may be unique and transient.

Zbigniew Brzezinski’s quote reflects on the nature of global politics, asserting that while the United States currently holds hegemonic power, such dominance is not a permanent fixture. As global dynamics evolve, the tendency towards multipolarity is likely to render the concentration of power in one state increasingly difficult. This suggests that the future may not favor a world where one country holds a preeminent position indefinitely.

Themes

Global PoliticsHegemonic PowerSuperpowerAmericaMultipolarity

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a debate about the future of global governance.

More from Zbigniew Brzezinski

Regret what? That secret operation was an excellent idea. It had the effect of drawing the Russians into the Afghan trap and you want me to regret it? The day that the Soviets officially crossed the border, I wrote to President Carter. We now have the opportunity of giving to the USSR its Vietnam war. Indeed, for almost 10 years, Moscow had to carry on a war unsupportable by the government, a conflict that brought about the demoralization and finally the breakup of the Soviet empire.
Zbigniew BrzezinskiRead
During the twentieth century, men fought on behalf of nationalism. Yet the wars they fought were also engendered by dislocations in world markets and by social revolution stimulated by the coming of the industrial age.
Zbigniew BrzezinskiRead
Constant reference to a 'war on terror' did accomplish one major objective: It stimulated the emergence of a culture of fear.
Zbigniew BrzezinskiRead
Iraq may have been a preview of that, but it's still redeemable if we get out fast. In a war with Iran, we'll get dragged down for 20 or 30 years. The world will condemn us. We will lose our position in the world.
Zbigniew BrzezinskiRead
The congressional role in declaring war is especially important not when the United States is the victim of an attack, but when the United States is planning to wage war abroad.
Zbigniew BrzezinskiRead
There may be circumstances in which damaging our relationship with countries over human rights is counterproductive and the benefits to human rights may be very small because of our limited capacity to enforce our stance. That was the dilemma the United States faced after Tiananmen Square.
Zbigniew BrzezinskiRead

Similar quotes

When you want a nation, that's called nationalism... Black nationalism. A revolutionary is a Black nationalist. He wants a nation.
Malcolm XRead
To safeguard democracy the people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect, and their oneness.
Mahatma GandhiRead
Everybody counts in applying democracy. And there will never be a true democracy until every responsible and law-abiding adult in it, without regard to race, sex, color or creed has his or her own inalienable and unpurchasable voice in government.
Carrie Chapman CattRead
The Iraq war was always a long shot. But it was made immeasurably longer by its principal architects in Washington, including Douglas Feith, who ignored expert advice, reserved most of their effort for fighting each other in ideological battles, and regarded the Iraqi people as an afterthought.
George PackerRead
Power in America today is control of the means of communication.
Theodore WhiteRead
If we want people to vote, we need to make it a larger part of their self-image.
Adam GrantRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.