A program of "disarmament," while imperialist antagonisms…
“A program of "disarmament," while imperialist antagonisms survive, is the most pernicious of fictions. Even if it were realized by way of general agreement - an obviously fantastic assumption!- that would by no means prevent a new war. The imperialists do not make war because there are armaments; on the contrary, they forge arms when they need to fight.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Disarmament is a false promise if imperialist rivalries persist; peace requires addressing underlying power conflicts, not just removing weapons.
In simple terms: Peace needs more than just removing weapons.
Key Takeaway
Focus on resolving power struggles, not just disarmament.
Themes
peace
politics
imperialism
conflict
war
strategy
Mood
skeptical
critical
serious
Type
political
analytical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- international diplomacy
- conflict resolution
- policy making
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
realism
power dynamics
geopolitics
Questions to Reflect On
- What deeper causes of war must be addressed?
- Can peace be achieved without changing power relations?
A Different Perspective
Disarmament alone cannot stop wars driven by political motives.