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It is true that large parts of the world have not had to endure state-to-state wars for decades. The majority of the world's nations have also been spared the scourge of civil wars, although many have known violence from revolutionary insurrection.
Margaret Macmillan
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights how many nations have experienced a long period without major wars, suggesting a relative era of peace despite ongoing violence in some areas.

In this quote, Margaret Macmillan reflects on the global context of peace, noting that while major state-to-state wars and civil wars have significantly decreased in various parts of the world, violence still exists through insurrections and revolutionary struggles. This observation invites a recognition of the complexities of peace, implying that while absence of large-scale conflicts is notable, there remain underlying tensions and issues that require attention.

Themes

PeaceViolenceInsurrectionWarNations

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about global stability, one might use this quote to illustrate how nations are finding alternatives to warfare.

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