Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same.
Condoleezza RiceRead
There are those who would draw a sharp line between power politics and a principled foreign policy based on values. This polarized view - you are either a realist or devoted to norms and values - may be just fine in academic debate, but it is a disaster for American foreign policy. American values are universal.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the need to integrate values into foreign policy rather than separating them from political power.
Condoleezza Rice argues against the binary perspective that separates power politics from a principled foreign policy based on values. She believes that American values are universal and should guide foreign relations, rather than resorting to a strictly pragmatic approach that overlooks ethical considerations. This view suggests that diplomacy should reflect core principles and ethics to be effective on the global stage.
Themes
Foreign PolicyValuesPowerAmerican ValuesRealismPrincipled
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about international relations, one might cite this quote to argue for a values-driven approach.
More from Condoleezza Rice
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What the United States has done is to be open to people who are fleeing tyranny, who are fleeing danger, but we have done it in a very careful way that has worked for us.
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For the United States, supporting international development is more than just an expression of our compassion. It is a vital investment in the free, prosperous, and peaceful international order that fundamentally serves our national interest.
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Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same. If you are too attentive to the former, you will most certainly not do the hard work of securing the latter.
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Does anybody think these people were just sitting around drinking tea?
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