It is clear that the main element of any United States policy toward the Soviet Union must be that of long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies.
George F. KennanRead
We should cease to talk about vague and unreal objectives such as human rights, the raising of the living standards, and democratization. The day is not far off when we are going to have to deal in straight power concepts. The less we are then hampered by idealistic slogans, the better.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that discussing abstract ideals like human rights is less effective than addressing real power dynamics.
George F. Kennan emphasizes the importance of focusing on tangible power structures rather than vague aspirations. He argues that discussions about ideals often hinder practical action and that a more realistic approach is necessary to navigate the complexities of political and social issues. By prioritizing straightforward power relations over lofty ideals, he implies that we can achieve more meaningful outcomes.
Themes
PowerIdealsRealismPoliticsPragmatism
In practice
Example use cases
In a political debate, to highlight the need for practical solutions rather than unrealistic ideals.
More from George F. Kennan
All quotes →The best thing we can do if we want the Russians to let us be Americans is to let the Russians be Russian.
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It is an undeniable privilege of every man to prove himself right in the thesis that the world is his enemy; for if he reiterates it frequently enough and makes it the background of his conduct he is bound eventually to be right.
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Actually, the inability of any society to resist immigration, the inability to find other solutions to the problem of employment at the lower, more physical, and menial levels of the economic process, is a serious weakness, and possibly even a fatal one, in any national society. The fully healthy society would find ways to meet those needs out of its own resources.
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One sometimes feels a guest of one's time and not a member of its household.
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The accords were fig leaves of democratic procedure to hide the nakedness of Stalinist dictatorship.
George F. KennanRead
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