Just as a state's police swear to prevent and punish…
![“Just as a state's police swear to prevent and punish murder, so the signers of the Genocide Convention [in 1948] swore to police a brave new world order. The rhetoric of moral utopia is a peculiar response to genocide. But those were heady days, just after the trials at Nuremberg, when the full…” quote by Philip Gourevitch](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/41e/philip-gourevitch-17484_brave-new-world_just-as-a-state-s-police-swear-to-preven_403389.jpg)
““Just as a state's police swear to prevent and punish murder, so the signers of the Genocide Convention [in 1948] swore to police a brave new world order. The rhetoric of moral utopia is a peculiar response to genocide. But those were heady days, just after the trials at Nuremberg, when the full scale of the Nazi extermination of Jews all over Europe had been recognized as a fact of which nobody could any longer claim ignorance. The authors and signers of the Genocide Convention knew perfectly well that they had not fought World War II to stop the Holocaust but rather--and often, as in the case of the United States, reluctantly--to contain fascist aggression. What made those victorious powers, which dominated the UN then even more than they do now, imagine that they would act differently in the future?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques the gap between the lofty moral aims of the Genocide Convention and the political realities that limited its enforcement, suggesting that post‑war powers prioritized power over preventing future atrocities.
In simple terms: Moral ideals clashed with political self‑interest after WWII.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that lofty pledges may be compromised by realpolitik.
Themes
politics
human rights
history
law
ethics
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
critical
historical
When to use this quote
- UN negotiations
- policy drafting
- human rights advocacy
- education on genocide
- diplomatic strategy
Key Concepts
realpolitik
moral hypocrisy
international law
Questions to Reflect On
- How can international law be strengthened against political bias?
- What mechanisms can ensure accountability beyond rhetoric?
A Different Perspective
The convention’s impact was limited by selective enforcement and geopolitical interests.