American politics Quote by Allen Ginsberg
“They [Nicaragua] haven't had elections because they are in a state of seige by the United States. They would have had elections if the U.S. had left them alone. But the U.S. has mounted a full scale war against them. So how can you ask them to behave normally?”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1970
External interference can prevent a nation from holding free elections, making normal political behavior impossible.
In simple terms: Foreign control blocks fair voting.
Support self-determination.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- human rights advocacy
- policy analysis
- journalism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do external powers have?
- How can oppressed peoples assert agency?
U.S. actions may be justified as security, complicating moral judgments.