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Populists and isolationists ignore the tangible benefits that have resulted from our active international role during the past half-century.
David Rockefeller
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote criticizes populists and isolationists for overlooking the advantages of international engagement.

David Rockefeller's quote highlights the tendency of populists and isolationists to dismiss the positive outcomes that have arisen from an active and engaged international stance over the last fifty years. This sentiment implies that, despite the criticisms of global involvement, there are significant benefits that such participation has afforded, both politically and economically, which should not be ignored.

Themes

PopulismIsolationismInternationalBenefitsGlobalizationPolitics

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about foreign policy, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of global engagement.

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