A truth that is merely handed on, without being thought anew from its very foundations, has lost its vital power.
Hans Urs Von BalthasarRead
World War II proved a hypothesis that Alexis de Tocqueville advanced a century before: the war-fighting potential of a democracy is at its greatest when war is most intense; at its weakest when war is most limited. This is a lesson with enduring relevance to our own times - and our own wars.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The statement highlights how democracies perform better in intense warfare than in limited conflicts.
David Frum's quote reflects on the insights of Alexis de Tocqueville regarding the dynamics of democratic societies during wartime. It suggests that the capacity for a democracy to mobilize and engage in warfare is maximized during periods of significant conflict, whereas limited wars tend to expose and exploit the vulnerabilities of democratic governance. This observation is presented as a relevant lesson for contemporary democratic states and their approach to modern warfare.
Themes
DemocracyWarConflictGovernanceMilitary
In practice
Example use cases
In a public speech discussing military strategy, one might emphasize the importance of recognizing the full potential of democracy during intense conflicts.
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