There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
There are nuclear-weapons-free zones in several parts of the world already, except that they're not implemented fully, because the U.S. won't allow it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the geopolitical challenges in enforcing nuclear weapon-free zones due to U.S. influence.
Noam Chomsky observes that while the concept of nuclear weapon-free zones exists in various regions, their actual implementation is hindered by the political power of the United States. This statement reflects on the complexity of international relations and how the interests of a powerful nation can obstruct global disarmament efforts, revealing deeper issues about sovereignty, security, and moral responsibility.
Themes
NuclearWeaponsZonesPeacePolitics
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about nuclear disarmament, one could use this quote to emphasize the obstacles to achieving a nuclear-free world.
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
The function of the press in society is to inform, but its role in society is to make money.
A. J. LieblingRead
Since faith rests upon infallible truth, and since the contrary of a truth can never be demonstrated, it is clear that the arguments brought against faith cannot be demonstrations, but are difficulties that can be answered.
Thomas AquinasRead
I'm sitting in my home office wearing a bathrobe. The same way I'm not going to start wearing ties, I'm also not going to buy into the fake politeness, the lying, the office politics and backstabbing, the passive aggressiveness, and the buzzwords.
Linus TorvaldsRead
Do you want to be a man of today or a man of tomorrow?
Mustafa Kemal AtaturkRead
In a world of global dependencies with no corresponding global polity and few tools of global justice, the rich of the world are free to pursue their own interests while paying no attention to the rest.
Zygmunt BaumanRead
Life cannot find reasons to sustain it, cannot be a source of decent natural regard, unless each of us resolves to breathe such qualities into it.
Frank HerbertRead