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All 'isms' run out in the end, and good riddance to most…

“All 'isms' run out in the end, and good riddance to most of them. Patriotism for example. [...] If in the interest of making sure we don't blow ourselves off the map once and for all, we end up relinquishing a measure of national sovereignty to some international body, so much the worse for…” quote by Frederick Buechner
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“All 'isms' run out in the end, and good riddance to most of them. Patriotism for example. [...] If in the interest of making sure we don't blow ourselves off the map once and for all, we end up relinquishing a measure of national sovereignty to some international body, so much the worse for national sovereignty. There is only one Sovereignty that matters ultimately, and it is of another sort altogether.”

Frederick Buechner

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Ideologies eventually fail; surrendering sovereignty to external bodies threatens national autonomy, but true sovereignty may be of a different kind.

In simple terms: Ideas die, and losing control to outsiders can harm a nation.

Key Takeaway

Guard national independence.

Themes

politics ideology sovereignty

Mood

critical reflective

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • government policy
  • international treaties
  • public opinion

Key Concepts

nationalism global governance

Questions to Reflect On

  • What defines true sovereignty?
  • When is ceding power justified?
A Different Perspective

Some argue supranational cooperation is necessary for global challenges.

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