International trade Quote by Alain de Botton
““We allow for complexity, and therefore make accommodations for disagreement and its patient resolution, in most of the big areas of life: international trade, immigration, oncology . . . But when it comes to domestic existence, we tend to make a fateful presumption of ease, which in turn inspires in us a tense aversion to protracted negotiation. We would think it peculiar indeed to devote a two-day””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public lecture on social philosophy, 2015
We often assume domestic issues are simple, avoiding lengthy negotiation, while accepting complexity in global matters.
In simple terms: Domestic life is seen as easy, so we avoid long talks.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that everyday problems may need patient discussion.
Themes
complexity
disagreement
negotiation
domestic life
global issues
Mood
reflective
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- family decisions
- community planning
- policy making
- international trade talks
Key Concepts
social philosophy
conflict resolution
patience
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we apply the same patience to personal conflicts as we do to global ones?
- What habits make us assume ease in daily life?
A Different Perspective
Complexity can be overwhelming, leading to avoidance of necessary dialogue.
![“The hallmark of futile negotiations is that each side regards [an] overarching reality as a problem for the people on the other side of the table, rather than one for everyone at the table.” quote by William Voegeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/99b/william-voegeli-68573_negotiation_the-hallmark-of-futile-negotiations-is-t_968592.jpg)
