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
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.
In practice
In a public speech discussing military strategy, one might emphasize the importance of recognizing the full potential of democracy during intense conflicts.
I'm one of those introverted people who simply feels a lot better after spending time alone thinking through ideas and emotions. This is a sign, I've come to think, of a kind of emotional disturbance - a reaction to inner fragility. I wish I were more able to just act and do, rather than constantly have to retreat and examine and think.
Our fulfillment is not in our isolated human grandeur, but in our intimacy with the larger earth community, for this is also the larger dimension of our being.
I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
To be left alone on the tightrope of youthful unknowing is to experience the excruciating beauty of full freedom and the threat of eternal indecision.
The proper function of a government is to make it easy for the people to do good, and difficult for them to do evil.
Under the rules of a society that cannot distinguish between profit and profiteering, between money defined as necessity and money defined as luxury, murder is occasionally obligatory and always permissible.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.