I remember talking to, 40 years ago, one of the leading…
“I remember talking to, 40 years ago, one of the leading people in the government who was involved in arms control, pressing for arms control measures, détente, and so on. He's very high up, and we were talking about whether arms control could succeed. And only partially as a joke he said, "Well it might succeed if the high tech industry makes more profit from arms control than it can make from weapons-related research and production. If we get to that tipping point maybe arms control will work." He was partially joking but there's a truth that lies behind it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Arms control may become viable when profit motives align with peace, shifting economic incentives.
In simple terms: Profit can drive peace if it outweighs weapon profits.
Key Takeaway
Promote economic incentives for disarmament.
Themes
peace
economics
policy
incentives
Mood
critical
hopeful
Type
analysis
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government negotiations
- industry lobbying
- peace advocacy
Key Concepts
profit motive
tipping point
disarmament
Questions to Reflect On
- How can profit be redirected toward peace?
- What policies can create such incentives?
A Different Perspective
Profit motives may be insufficient without political will.